Fig Leaf

Synonyms:
See also:
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	Contents 1 What Items Are Covered by Fig Leaves; 2 Self-Imposed Fig Leaves in Print Zines 2.1 Reading Zines in Public Spaces; ; 3 On eBay 3.1 Some eBay Examples; 3.2 Beware the Female Breasts; 3.3 A Fig Finger!; ; 4 Similar Topics and Related Reading; 5 References;

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."

What Items Are Covered by Fig Leaves

female breasts
male genitalia, portrayed as casual nudity, erotica, or simply male nudes
male butts (female butts tend to be exempt)
mild physical expressions of intimacy (usually between same sex couples) such as kissing or lips touching
explicit sexual acts

Self-Imposed Fig Leaves in Print Zines

Some print zines included fanart that parodied the very idea of a fig leaf, and was a humorous gesture, a bit of cheeky fun.

For Star Trek: TOS zines in the mid-seventies, these parodies were also commentary on nudity and erotic fanworks, something that sparked The SekWester*Con Porn Debate and the first creations of age statements.

Son of Grope (1977), an early British Star Trek: TOS zine included "a fig-leaf cut-out for the prudish."
The first page of Grup #2 (1978) included a small square of paper, affixed by hand with a dot of glue in a manner that makes it look like a pre-Post-It note. It has the caption: "a fig leaf for YOUR centerfold." The centerfold in question is a glorious full-frontal nude depiction of Sulu!
the 'Pin the Fig Leaf on Spock' game in In a Plain Brown Wrapper (1979), art by Madeline Rogers.
from Tales of Cascade #2 (2004), artist is Panda (The Sentinel)
from B7 Complex #6/7, artist is T.J. Burnside - portrays Vila Restal in a fetching pose as "Playrebel of the Month," complete with a teddy bear fig leaf (1984)

Reading Zines in Public Spaces

Some fig leaves utilized in print zines were not parody, but a way to reduce embarrassment when fans read zines in public areas.

In 2002, a fan, Kathy Resch wrote:

In the early 80s I used to do what I called "fig leaf" covers - just a plain piece of paper over the cover, which could then be taken off once the buyer had taken the zine home from the con. Or left there, if they wanted to. I didn't try to do anything fancy; the object was making sure I didn't have to keep my entire stock of zines "under the table" as it were. ^[1]

See more at Reading and Viewing Print Fanworks in Public Areas.

front cover of The Warrior's Heart #1, with gold band fig leaf in place, the artist is Fuumin
The outside cover of the apa, Strange Bedfellows #1 was a plain brown paper, labeled "top sheet."
The inside cover of Strange Bedfellows #1 was a Blake's 7 illo by Suzan Lovett, titled: One Safe Harbor: The central mailer for the apa wrote: "The cover for this issue — the real cover, not the plain brown wrapper — is probably the best example I've ever seen of obeying the letter of the law while thoroughly evading its spirit. "No exposed genitalia," I said in my rules for SB covers, and lo and behold, Agnes ups and offers me the use of a stunningly gorgeous piece of artwork, and, well, it's got no exposed genitalia... I knew I wouldn't be comfortable reading a zine with that cover on the bus, which is the real litmus test for SB covers, and if I wouldn't be comfortable — I'm pretty brash, as some of you know — I could imagine how others might feel. Hence the fig-leaf this issue. Whether you choose to tear it off or leave it on is your affair."

On eBay

Fig leaves are sometimes used by fans and non-fans in public venues such as eBay to cover an area on visual fanworks that the seller feels may offend viewers, often referred to as "naughty bits."

The decision to use a fig leaf can be a political and/or personal statement that represents what the applicator considers shameful or embarrassing.

Fig leaves may also be used when the seller is worried the image may violate eBay's terms of service.

Fig leaves are usually physical pieces of paper. Sometimes sellers use a coin, or at least in one instance their own finger. Some sellers use a photomanip tool to white or black out images or parts of art they deem offensive.

Some eBay Examples

Jim Ellison on cover of the Sentinel zine, Through the Ages, by Geli, an ebay seller in 2024 utilized an incredibly cautious fig leaf...
... which covered up a few terrifying genital hairs

a 2025 example, this one on Odyssey #6.5, artist is Suzan Lovett, in which the fig leaf is more disturbing....
... that the big non-reveal in the original!

in 2025, a smiley emoticon used for protection on the front cover of First Time #41
what the emoticon was saving the viewer from is a minuscule hint of genitals (no offense, Spock!) -- the artist is Shelley Butler, the art is titled Spock by the Pool

Beware the naked butt! -- a 2021 fig leaf that looks like a halo, or some sort of a circus cap!
artist is H. Ann Walton, the Sentinel zine is Mating Rituals #2

artist is Caren Parnes, from the 1988 zine, Matter/Antimatter #6; the skittish 2024 eBay seller put a fig leaf on a rendition of Michelangelo's David
Matter/Antimatter #6, without the fig leaf

This was offered on eBay in 2018. A fig leaf was bestowed upon it as two men touching lips was deemed by its seller as too explicit to show to a general audience.
titled "Courtship Ritual", the cover of The Sensual World #1, artist is Jean Kluge

this fig leaf was used in 2009 for the cover of Liaisons #2, artist is Suzan Lovett, titled "The Night of the Cat"
a seller in 2024 utilized a "modesty shield"
a seller in 2025 used fig leaves that bring to mind Rover (The Prisoner) "Rover" from The Prisoner
A fan in 2010 didn't remark on the oft-used phrase "naughty bits" but instead on the play of light: "Very hot, the shadows are incredible." ^[2]

cover of Mating Rituals #3 (1995, Sentinel), artist is K9, with an aggressive fig leaf applied in 2021 by an ebay seller
cover of Mating Rituals #3, without the fig leaf... because, well... one can't have naked male skin touching other naked male skin...

cover sporting a 2025 fig leaf, which is covering up... no actual genitals, but is perhaps used because a man has his hand on the shoulder of another naked man
cover of The Pandora's Box Affair (1996), artist is Suzan Lovett

What If... cover close up; this 2011 eBay seller chose to crop out Bodie's lower body in this Professionals zine cover by Suzan Lovett
this 2009 ebay seller covered up Bodie's lower body with a Post-It Note
and for those curious about just what is under that fig leaf: nothing too alarming!

artist is Suzan Lovett, from Interview with a Vampire, sports a 2024 annoying fig leaf
cover of First Time #62 (Star Trek: TOS), artist is IM Mueller -- in this case "the naughty bits" in this 2012 case aren't sexually explicit but rather simply a male nude
"Bleep!" -- this one's 2019 fig leaf simply covers up male nudes in The Kirk Spock Erotic Paper Doll Set
a 2024 fig leaf on the 1997 zine, Another K/S Zine; this fig leaf, as deduced from the foot next to Spock's face, was used appropriately in a public space

Beware the Female Breasts

2024 fig leaf on original art by Beverly Zuk, from the zine, Dracula, portrays Dracula and Lucy
the original art by Beverly Zuk, with a vague nipple

a 2025 fig leaf on Pretty Good Year, artist is Serai (2003)
no fig leaf here

from Crossing the Streams #5 (Real Ghostbusters), artist is Aurora Black, in 2023, an ebay seller determined that female breasts are "naughty bits" but does not react to naked male butts, and because the character Janine Melnitz, is a buffer between the two male character, the alarm about naked male skin touching other naked male skin is neutralized
artist is Jean Clissold from The Professionals (1984), this 2024 fig leaf covers naked breasts
a 2024 fig leaf is utilized on Anime Erotica Portfolio for 1990, artist is Heather Bruton

A Fig Finger!

And for your viewing pleasure, a fig finger from an eBay seller:

a 2019 pointing the way on a page in First Time #7 (Star Trek: TOS) (Honestly, the finger looks disconcertingly spicy!)

References

^ from a mailing list (Sep 16, 2002)
^ from a mailing list, quoted anonymously (November 2010)

[1] rom a mailing list (Sep 16, 2002)

[2] rom a mailing list, quoted anonymously (November 2010)

[1]

[2]

Synonyms:
See also:
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.
Contents 1 What Items Are Covered by Fig Leaves 2 Self-Imposed Fig Leaves in Print Zines 2.1 Reading Zines in Public Spaces 3 On eBay 3.1 Some eBay Examples 3.2 Beware the Female Breasts 3.3 A Fig Finger! 4 Similar Topics and Related Reading 5 References