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Fanlore:Featured Article Archives/2025: Week 12
A Fig Leaf is a "modesty panel" or "modesty shield." The term comes from the practice in Western art history of using a fig leaf shape to conceal human genitals in pictures or sculpture.
They are used in fandom to cover up parts of fan art.
One venue for fig leaves are in print zines where they are used by fans as humorous commentary.
Another use of self-imposed fig leaves on print zines is to disguise erotic content or nudity so that fans can feel more confident reading or viewing fanworks in public areas.
Sometimes people who sell print zines on eBay utilize fig leaves to cover up visual depictions of what they commonly refer to as "naughty bits."