Foot Binding Tradition

Snugglepuss

It is thought that the tradition of foot binding commenced in the 10th century and ended in the 20th century.

Girls feet were usually bound from the age of 6 and in some cases as young as 4. It was done at this early age to prevent the arch of the foot forming properly. Usually the bandages applied first in the winter, so that the foot would be numb and therefore the pain would not be as severe.

Feet would first be soaked in warm water or animal blood and herbs and this mix would cause any dead skin to fall off. Toenails would be cut as short as possible, so that they would not grow into the foot. A foot massage would be followed by the four smallest toes on each foot being broken. Silk or cotton bandages were soaked in the same liquid (described above) and then the bandages, which were ten feet long and two inches wide, were wrapped around the four smallest toes and pulled tightly to the heel. Sometimes a deep incision would have to be made in the sole of the foot to make it easier.

At first the young girl would feel extreme pain and as she would be walking mainly on the heel part of the foot, she would develop hard callouses. Every two days, the binding was removed and the feet rebound. This part of the process went on for two years. By this time her feet were three to four inches long. To assure the feet staying small, the ritual continued for at least ten more years.

However, after years of her feet being bound, unable to put weight on her doubled-under toes, the bones would heal in the position of the binding and the girl would no longer feel pain.

Its purpose was to produce a tiny foot, the "golden lotus" and it is believed that the tradition first started, when women began replicating an imperial concubine Yao Niang, who had been ordered by the emperor Li Yu to bind her feet with silk bands and dance on a golden lotus platform encrusted with pearls and gems. She danced so gracefully, it appeared as if she was skimming over the top of golden lilies. The other concubines were envious and they all started binding their feet in order to impress the emperor. It was seen as beautiful and distinguished, dainty and elegant. It gradually became the prevailing style and "golden lotus" became a synonym for bound feet.

In 1911, foot binding was banned and in 1915 the Chinese government declared the practice illegal. Monetary fines were issued to those that ignored the ban and continued to uphold the tradition. In some remote areas of China, the practice carried on until the 1930s. The last factory which manufactured shoes for bound feet, ceased production of shoes 50 years later.

So geeky friends, those of you who have achy feet due to high heels etc, just think how much worse it could have been!