What is the purpose of flagellation?

Answer 1

The flagellation was used mostly in the old days to punish people. It was a very cruel punishment. Most people died and if not, there remained very badly wounded.

There were different "tools" that were used for this kind of treatment. There were long thin strips of organic nature with "things" bounded on the length of the strip or at the end : metal balls, sharp edge cracked bones.... or other things you wouldn't want hitting your flesh.

Jesus Christ had experienced flagellation before crucification.

But there is a self flagellation treatment. It was used by people who wanted to punish themselves. Some reasons were : for self discipline if they've did wrong, to pay in front of God for their sins, or to quiet their conscience.

Some of those people took this practice because of this text from The Bible "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (1 Corinthians 9:27). But this text or others like it, does not promote self punishment, but the discipline of being able to say no to bad things, even if this is not always pleasant.

Answer 2

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Roman Catholic AnswerI believe what you are referring to is the Discipline, it is a small, corded whip that one uses to flay yourself on the back while reciting the 51st Psalm (50 in older Catholic Bibles: "Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy..."). This is to show your humility. It should hurt, but not be downright painful, if your are using it that hard, you have overstepped the limits. You may only use it on Friday while kneeling and for the time it takes you to recite the psalm - and only with permission from your confessor.