FOOT BINDING

The unusual Chinese practice of foot binding began during the Tang Dynasty (618–907). Although the tradition was officially banned by the Republic of China in 1911, the practice continued for quite some time in rural areas.

Foot binding was initially a rather mild and harmless practice, performed by women attempting replicating the look of imperial concubine practices – who danced with their feet tightly wrapped in silk. But, by the Qing Dynasty (1636-1911), feet were forcibly bound so tightly and so early in life that crippling deformations resulted. Due to the fact that these women were deprived of autonomy and required constant assistance, foot binding became something of a status symbol.

Beginning as early as age five, the process was long and painful. Due to the tight binding four toes on each foot would break and become highly deformed within a year. Eventually a high arch was formed; the foot would become concave and resemble a ‘lotus blossom’. The ideal total foot length was to be no longer than 10 cm (4 in).

The Xiaohuayuan Shoe Factory in Shanghai still occasionally takes custom tiny shoe orders to accommodate the aged population affected by foot binding. Quite recently, a 90-year-old woman in Shanghai received a new pair of shoes. The shoes were a New Year’s gift from her son and daughter-in-law.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

RELATED ATTRACTIONS

stellarize on December 3rd, 2007 at 2:42 am

that is incredibly sad.
Helena on December 17th, 2008 at 2:18 pm

foot binding started in late Tang dynasty, but it’s more well known during Song dynasty….i know growing up i always thought it started during Song…at the beginning it was only practiced by the rich upper class, then it became something all the girls would do because “no men would want to marry a girl with big feet”, somehow a symbol of beauty (more like keeping women in place).

it’s really sad…and it’s a problem when it comes to hygene because if i remember correctly, they have to unbind their feet once a year or so to “clean it”, there’s a specific procedure for that too. they usually get infected and whatnot. those women pretty much cannot walk on their own…so during wartimes those women tend to get left behind because they cannot run.

my grandmother almost went thru that (she was born 1920 in a well off family), her mother tried to bind her feet, but it was too painful so my grandmother took them off and cried. she actually go away with it because she was spoiled and had things her way.
Kay on February 25th, 2009 at 2:37 pm

It would be interesting to know if there were different methods used for binding. If you look at various pictures, some look like the feet were sort of bent in half, others look like the toes were wrapped around the bottom of the foot. Just curious.
Christina on February 25th, 2010 at 2:09 pm

It has been recently speculated that foot binding began when some royal children were born with club feet. To keep this from being seen as a deformity, other royal members of the household were to bind their daughter’s feet. An intersting perspective . . .
Proud Sasquatch on May 7th, 2010 at 7:04 pm

I’d be Bigfoot there. But it’s all good they keep me grounded. God bless clodhoppers!