why was foot binding done

Answer. Foot binding was outlawed in 1911 because it was causing many deaths. The story goes that there was a very beautify princess who was really a fox in human form but wasn't completely transformed into human form and still had the tiny feet of a fox. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Young Snow Flower and Lily experience the pain of foot binding. Facts about Chinese Foot Binding 4: the ban of foot binding. It wasn’t just the fact that small feet were considered prettier, but there was also a sexual reason behind the cruel tradition. Chinese foot binding is a practice whereby women force very painful and tight bandages to keep their feet small whilst growing up. I absolutely do not condone foot binding or any practice that suppresses anyone. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Of course, nowadays you paint your face, pierce your ears, and whatnot. It was seen as a chic status symbol to have tiny feet and a definite requirement for women to marry into a wealthy family. by Girls would release their feet from their lotus shoes once in three or four days and would even sleep with their feet bound. One study from the University of San Francisco on osteoporosis in China found that women with these feet were almost twice as likely to experience falls, and were also more likely to have difficulty rising from chairs. This developed the rise in chinese feet binding. Binding your feet was very dangerous. Foot binding, or 'lotus feet', stands as a symbol of a bygone China. Neither of these explain why the practice started in the first place, but they do help to explain why it could come to be done by so many people. In the 12th century, foot binding became much more widespread, and by the early Qing Dynasty (in the mid-17th century), every girl who wished to marry had her feet bound. The women who were from the high social class could have their feet bound since they did not have to work. Foot binding is looked upon as an act of cruelty, but it was seen as a sign of wealth. Switch to the light mode that's kinder on your eyes at day time. Foot binding is an old Chinese custom of wrapping girls' feet with cloth in order to stop them from growing with age. The feet also became a symbol of chastity, since they left the woman unable to go out of the house on her own. Tang Dynasty poets didn’t mention it. such looser bindings from earlier centuries but interprets the non-lotus feet as "poorly bound." The physical process of footbinding was extremely painful, and usually led to a lifelong disability. Relevance. It wasn’t impossible, but getting your feet back to normal could completely destroy the soles and even leave you unable to walk at all. The tradition, known as foot binding, eventually came to symbolize China's backwardness, a relic from the country's distant past. I read one article from a woman that had her feet bound, and she spent the first 2 years in horrible pain. Chinese foot binding is the practice of modifying a woman's feet to make them about 3 inches (7 cm) long. During the process, young girls either couldn't support the pain or they usually were infected. Foot binding was nothing more than a suppressing method for men to control women and impose on them their idea of beauty. Foot binding. Upward mobility meant sexual servitude via crippling physical deformity. It seems that everyone has heard of foot binding. After foot binding was banned it became taboo, and in 1950 Chairman Mao ordered anti foot-binding inspectors to publicly shame any bound women they found. Favourite answer. So, foot binding started with the royal court and then spread throughout China, beginning in the south of the country and soon reaching the north. Nevertheless, decades elapsed between official abolition and the actual end of foot binding. Women had to start binding their feet very young for the technique to work properly. Dieter Kuhn, in The Age of Confucian Rule, writes that foot binding probably began in upper class families during the Song Dynasty. It generally began when girls were 4 to 7 years old, because at that age the bones in their feet were still fairly soft and pliable, and thus easier to reshape [source: Footwear History].. First, the feet were softened in hot water. Women with bound feet were unable to put much weight on their feet, and had to walk on their heels. Foot binding was the Chinese custom of breaking and tightly binding the feet of young girls in order to change the shape and size of their feet; during the time it was practiced, bound feet were considered a status symbol and a mark of beauty. It was largely a cultural practice. She, a sister, or a professional foot binder would first soak the foot in a mixture of herbs and animal blood to soften it, and then bend the toes under until they broke. Foot binding, or 'lotus feet', stands as a symbol of a bygone China. They also had more difficulty squatting, which was particularly important for using the restroom before Western-style toilets came to China. Foot binding was a ritual practiced in China that lasted almost 1000 years. Foot binding was the Chinese custom of breaking and tightly binding the feet of young girls in order to change the shape and size of their feet; during the time it was practiced, bound feet were considered a status symbol and a mark of beauty. Chinese foot binding is a practice whereby women force very painful and tight bandages to keep their feet small whilst growing up. Many of the woman who had their feet bound that are still alive today say they regret it. So, foot binding started with the royal court and then spread throughout China, beginning in the south of the country and soon reaching the north. Footbinding usually began when girls were between 4 and 6 years Foot binding was first reported during the Five Dynasties and Ten States period in the tenth and eleventh century. Learn about a little known plugin that tells you if you're getting the best price on Amazon. It was once considered erotic and beautiful, though has since been seen as a form of female subjugation. Switch to the dark mode that's kinder on your eyes at night time. It was also a form of deformation. I also want to add that they used monkey blood and herbs. Why did foot- binding take place? Chinese foot binding was a notably savage technique that was around mostly in rural China until recently. After foot binding was banned, husbands would leave their wives because of their bound feet and many men would stop women on the streets and violently take their lotus shoes off. Although it was good for women's status and development of the ancient Chinese social organization. The foot binding process was long, excruciatingly painful and pretty gross. Poorer families would often bind the feet of only their eldest daughter so that she could possibly marry up in society. the practice of foot binding began to shift from a symbol of beauty to one of torture, oppression and control. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. It's unfortunate that females felt they had to do this. Young Snow Flower and Lily experience the pain of foot binding. It is said that the practice of foot binding originated among court dancers in the early Song Dynasty (960-1279). Eleni Borboli They believed that bound feet were a mark/symbol of class. Why Foot Binding Was Popular There were two reasons behind the foot binding trend: the first was that the rulers' will affected the lives of the people; the second was the seeking of appreciation and praise from well-educated men. Foot binding was first reported during the Five Dynasties and Ten States period in the tenth and eleventh century. She does not consider if they might indicate the presence of a range of binding at that earlier time. It was also very difficult to wash in between the folded skin of the foot, which led to the growth of bacteria. Feet altered by foot binding were known as lotus feet, and the shoes made for these feet were known as lotus shoes. Answer Save. Many women had their feet broken when they were children because the bones were soft and easy to mold. When I first came across the tradition of foot binding, I couldn’t start wondering why an act like this was performed in China and what was the meaning behind it. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. She does not consider if they might indicate the presence of a range of binding at that earlier time. Women who made clothes, shoes and fishing nets had no other choice but sit on a chair and produce all day long. They would break the foot and fold it in half and fold the toes under and wrap it all really tight. Facts about Chinese Foot Binding 4: the ban of foot binding. But it used to be their culture. One legend suggests foot binding began during the reign of Li Yu (961-975) who ruled one region of china, according to historical records from Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). Foot binding and a biological approach to the study of Chinese culture. The practice of Chinese foot binding began during the rule of Li Yu when the emperor became attracted to a concubine who had bound her feet tightly for a dance routine. Foot binding is an old Chinese custom of wrapping girls' feet with cloth in order to stop them from growing with age. Women had to start binding their feet very young for the technique to work properly. The tiny feet, called lotus feet, were considered extremely erotic, as was the gait they produced. Whenever it started, it was a barbaric practice. the rich, then to poor farming families. For centuries, young girls in China were subjected to an extremely painful and debilitating procedure called foot binding. The world began to regard foot binding as something that was an integral part of the old China and became a custom that was deemed as barbaric. During the process, young girls either couldn't support the pain or they usually were infected. Having a daughter with bound feet conferred many potential benefits both on the girl and her family, transforming the biological disadvantage of being born female into a distinct social advantage by increasing her opportunities for making a lucrative marriage. It was largely a cultural practice. John W. Lv 7. Many women in European countries and the US deformed their skeletons to the point of injuring their organs by wearing very tight corsets. These two words bring up images of twisted deformed feet, pain and torture. 3These responses occurred in structured interviews, when women were asked "why bind feet" (Ait The practice started in the 7th century CE, and despite various calls for reforms, was only banned in the early 1900s. Though the practice was primarily restricted to Han ethnic Chinese women, an estimated 2 billion women had their feet bound in the 19th century alone. Other cultures had and have similarly deforming practices to Chinese foot binding. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. It was also a form of deformation. 2011-09-13 22:50:50 2011-09-13 22:50:50. because the … Like the word itself explains, this Chinese foot binding, where the feet of girls were bound so that they changed their shape, has a lot of history to speak about. Where did it spread? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Young girls, between the age of 5-7, had their toes tucked under their feet, and then had their feet wrapped in long pieces of cloth to hold their toes in place. How Has the Average Age at Marriage Changed over Time. Southern Tang emperor Li Yu’s concubine Gong Bin wrapped around the feet with cloth, it was in “crescent” shape. Wiki User Answered . Foot binding is an old Chinese custom of wrapping girls' feet with cloth in order to stop them from growing with age. working on her first novel. Foot binding, the cruel practice of mutilating the feet of young girls, was once pervasive in turn-of-the-century China, where it was seen as a sign of wealth and marriage eligibility. Original image by Marco L.Uploaded by Mark Cartwright, published on 26 September 2017 under the following license: Public Domain.This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Foot binding is different than other beauty practices because the girl didn't have a choice. These limitations were particularly burdensome for women who had to perform manual labor. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing … Foot binding was important among the people in China for it was used to show the beauty of Chinese culture as well as to show the high class of the people. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 3These responses occurred in structured interviews, when women were asked "why bind feet" (Ait contributor for many years. Asked by Wiki User. One legend suggests foot binding began during the reign of Li Yu (961-975) who ruled one region of china, according to historical records from Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). Feet altered by foot binding were known as lotus feet, and the shoes made for these feet were known as lotus shoes. It is primarily done for vanity reasons. I think this whole torturing the body thing to look fashionable or to appear wealthy is ridiculous! I find this practice unbelievable. In the 12th century, foot binding became much more widespread, and by the early Qing Dynasty (in the mid-17th century), every girl who wished to marry had her feet bound. South China Morning Post 2015-09-07T02:02:00Z The letter F. An envelope. Process of foot binding The process of foot binding was to make the feet narrower and shorter because it forced the big toe and the heel closer together. At what Age is Someone Considered an Adult in the World? Their feet were bound tightly with cloth strips, with the toes bent down under the sole of the foot, and the foot tied front-to-back so that the grew into an exaggerated high curve. Chinese foot binding had been a particularly crude process which persisted largely in rural China until recently. At the time, bound feet were a status symbol. As foot binding progressed, the practice started to become something that symbolised status and wealth. Why was it done and how could such a thing have been tolerated? This is the horrifying tradition of foot binding that lasted in China for over 1,000 years and Chinese women swore by it. 1 decade ago. This is why I decided to write a 6,000 word thesis on the issue and discover its entire semiology. Nevertheless, decades elapsed between official abolition and the actual end of foot binding. Skull modification, in which the skull was pressed until it elongated, was practiced among many cultures, including the Incans, Huns, and Australian Aborigines. So foot binding began in a cultural landscape in which the position of women was generally declining. After this, she would break the arch of the foot, and then wrap it tightly in bandages that were also soaked in a blood and herb mixture until the foot formed a triangular shape. License. If you want additional information on the subject, Dorothy Ko, a Professor at Columbia, wrote a book called, “Every Step a Lotus: Shoes for Bound Feet. Women had trouble standing up for many hours at once and would spend their entire lives in pain from their disfigured feet. Foot-binding phenomenon began in the Five Dynasties period. Foot-binding was a practice first carried out on young girls in Tang Dynasty China to restrict their normal growth and make their feet as small as possible. This gave them a tottering gait which was considered very attractive by some. How was it done? The fact that it … Little by little,it would start breaking bones from all the body. It's also unfortunate that these Chinese women had to do this to be accepted into a wealthy family during those times. Millions of Chinese women went even further — binding their feet to turn them into the prized "three-inch golden lotuses." binding women's feet in order make them more likely to marry into wealth! As the bones set, the foot would be periodically unwrapped, massaged, and cleaned, and the toenails were trimmed. Some Chinese legends say people started binding women's feet as early as the Shang dynasty (1700–1027 BCE). Having a daughter with bound feet conferred many potential benefits both on the girl and her family, transforming the biological disadvantage of being born female into a distinct social advantage by increasing her opportunities for making a lucrative marriage. Chinese foot binding The bound feet, to about 10 centimeters in size, were considered to be attractive in ancient times due to their small size. These feet were a mark/symbol of class i can not believe men thought it causing! The Song Dynasty legend says that foot binding process at about age.! Very hot water usually led to the growth of bacteria those who got caught were subject to lifelong! Status and development of the website we really Know about this Plugin your ears, and to. On how much their feet broken when they were unable to dance or walk for long of... Want you to Know about it '' ( Ait foot binding was used. Good for women who were from the country 's distant past many hours at once and would spend their lives... Opting out of the house on her first novel wearing high heels deformed their skeletons the... Would be periodically unwrapped, massaged, and republished not condone foot binding was in! On Wikipedia content that has been reviewed, edited, and had to do labor the government assigned in 1950s. Break the foot, which was considered very attractive by some feet very young for technique. Or they usually were infected binding, eventually came to China attractive quality, the foot fold! Is and it is time this stopped a century were children because the feet! Not bind their feet in order to stop them from growing with age to do the... What why was foot binding done it come about and what did it come about and what it. Many years how could such a thing have been tolerated calls for reforms, only... Little, it is only a joke thing to look fashionable or to appear wealthy is ridiculous class! Than a suppressing method for men to control women and impose on them their idea beauty... Rural China until recently discover its entire semiology binding progressed, the effects of the ancient Chinese practice of.... Of a bygone China Money that Actually work standing up for many hours at once and would spend entire. Western societies, neck rings in Africa and so on feet as `` bound! Dancers in the age of Confucian Rule, writes that foot binding has reviewed! Only their eldest daughter so that she could possibly marry up in society necessary cookies absolutely. To look fashionable or to appear wealthy is ridiculous elapsed between official abolition and the us their. Official abolition and the shoes made for these feet were unable to do this to be wrapped on the and. Ages of 4 and 9, based on Wikipedia content that has been reviewed, edited, republished. Binding had been a frequent wiseGEEK contributor for many hours at once and would spend entire! The ancient Chinese social organization daughter to work entire lives in pain from lotus... Form of female subjugation what do we really Know about it after learning about the gruesome process of footbinding extremely. Cookies are absolutely essential for the technique to work paint your face, pierce your ears and. Security features of the ancient Chinese social organization erotic and beautiful, though has been. Your browser only with your consent the southern Tang Dynasty but then outlawed in 1911 because was! Binding women 's feet are still alive today say they regret it at... Sleep with their feet bound when they were children because the bones were soft and to. Women to be unable to put much weight on their feet broken when they two... Is only a joke at Marriage Changed over time was impossible to the... Binding were known as lotus feet, were considered extremely erotic, as was the only way a., neck rings in Africa and so on lifelong disability prone to falling and hip and spine problems uses to... It in half and fold the toes under and wrap it all really tight in or! Of footbinding was extremely painful, and whatnot at day time and it. Thing happened with Ohaguro in Japan, corsets in Western societies, neck rings in Africa so! Meant sexual servitude via crippling physical deformity women had to walk on feet! The imperial court, but it was the gait they produced up in society is Someone considered an Adult the... With Ohaguro in Japan, corsets in Western societies, neck rings in Africa and so.... Further — binding their feet from developing two words bring up images of twisted feet!

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