What Exactly is a Courtesan?
…The Courtesan was originally a female courtier, or a person who attends the court of a monarch. In feudal society, the court was the centre of government as well as the residence of the monarch, and social and political life were often completely mixed together. Courtesan came to refer to “the ruler’s mistress”, and then to a well-educated, independent woman, and a trained artisan of dance and singing, especially one associated with wealthy, powerful, or upper-class men. These men would then provide luxuries and status in exchange for companionship.
The Courtesan often held a simultaneous career as performer or artist, and was chosen for her social and conversational skills, intelligence, and companionship—as well as her physical attributes. Elizabeth Sabato Swinton, curator of Asian art at Worcester Art Museum in Massachusetts states, “The courting process was very ritualistic. Men would pay huge amounts of money just for an introduction, and they would have to follow an elaborate process of eating and drinking before they could even think about having sex. You had to know the rules in order to play the game. And having a fat wad of cash would not guarantee sex. If all you had was money, you would be considered a bore.”
The historic Courtesan was expected to be well-dressed and ready to engage in a variety of topics ranging from the arts to politics. Her wit and personality set her apart from regular women. Some of the famous Courtesans of their time were Veronica Franco of Venice – lover to King Henry III of France, and Madame de Pompadour of Versailles – the famous mistress and long time favorite of King Louis XV. Unlike the common street prostitute, the Courtesan was a master of seduction and the arts of romantic love. It was through her stimulation of the intellect, body, and spirit that a man could rekindle his flame, find his passion, and restore his vitality of life! These were women who, by their presence, could open a man to joy and the true appreciation of beauty, releasing the soul from the bondage of the mundane and logical everyday world.
“Hail, sweetly-winning, coy-eyed goddess! Grant that I may gain the victory in this contest, and order you my song.” (Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite) When the soul is longing for Eros – passion, sexual ecstasy and connection, the modern Courtesan is the provider to seek. But how can you recognize a Courtesan in the present-day? Firstly, the modern Courtesan is able to connect with you on many levels – physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual.
She is both beautiful inside and out, and is extremely vigilant in taking care of herself because she knows that her body is the temple of her soul. It is second nature for her to receive the best treatment because this is what she deserves. People can easily see her as a goddess. She is truly a sacred sensual healer with a highly developed ability to listen. She is a wise woman, confident in herself, who is full of inspiration, serenity and integrity. Her profession as a Courtesan is her choice, and she has no shame in receiving compensation for her worth. Having men pay for her companionship and skills is something that builds her confidence. She has nothing to hide, yet she prizes discretion highly. She is a master of seduction. With her powerful gifts and exciting, erotic skills for healing and heightened pleasure, and she knows how to tailor these to her client’s desires.
More specifically, the modern Courtesan has a level of training in social etiquette that is comparable to a ‘debutante’. This means she is well-educated as opposed to having just attended school, can demonstrate leadership, dependability, and a heart for giving to charity – (charity comes from the Latin word charis meaning beauty and kindness, which comes from the compassion of a healer).
She may be able to speak multiple languages fluently and even able to play at least one instrument and dance well. When you go out with her publicly you feel comfortable with her because she is diplomatic, respectful, knows dining etiquette, and the polite use of a cell-phone. Also, she carefully selects her stylish clothing, adorns her body, knowing the difference between elegantly sexy and trashy, and she carries herself with poise and charm. She will save the enticing garments and special requests for private time later. At any time, you can have stimulating conversations because she is sober, well-spoken, and has a depth of understanding in many subjects – the arts, politics, science and particularly many facets of human sexuality. She is careful to speak gracefully and to articulately express herself in a wide vocabulary, with little or no obscenities; but will leave that for the occasional ‘dirty talk’ to tease you behind closed doors.
She is truly exclusive with her clientele, and doesn’t just state this falsely and then accept all requests just to get as much money as possible. This type of provider can’t be considered an option for an elite gentleman looking for a woman who is discriminating. There is a unique connection that occurs between the courtesan and her chosen client – they can enhance each others’ lives. Also, to quote a fellow associate, “The modern courtesan is… well-traveled, familiar with more than one culture, knowledgeable about current affairs… and comfortable in a variety of social situations.” Aina Montero
(from “Will the Real Courtesans Please Stand Up?” by Alexa Da Silva 12/12/09)
