Foot Binding

Inspiration and Start

• Foot-binding is said to have been inspired by a tenth-century court dancer named Yao Niang who bound her feet into the shape of a new moon.
• Late 13th century.

How small were they?

• The most desirable bride possessed a three-inch foot, known as a “golden lotus.” It was respectable to have four-inch feet—a silver lotus—but feet five inches or longer were dismissed as iron lotuses. The women could barely walk on their small feet, making everyday tasks hard and painful.

Process

• Feet were plunged into hot water
• Her toenails clipped short
• Feet were massaged and oiled
• All the toes, except the big toes, were broken and bound flat against the sole, making a triangle shape
• Her arch was strained as the foot was bent double
• Feet were bandaged using silk

Neo-Confucianism?

• Neo-Confucianism placed extra emphasis on chastity, obedience and diligence. A good wife should have no desire other than to serve her husband, no ambition other than to produce a son, and no interest beyond subjugating herself to her husband’s family. Bounded feet gave women no other option but this. It is a symbol of women's low status because of the Neo-Confucianism ideas.