WhitneyChinese Foot Binding
October 25th 2008 22:05
Although, foot binding isn't a modern practice, it is still a very interesting body modification that was a very popular practice in the beginning of the 10th century all through the early 20th century. Basically, it's an extreme body modification that shows how such an extreme deformity of today's standards can be seen as a source of beauty.
Although there are different theories as to the beginning of the foot binding process. For the most part, though, it seems that women with small feet were thought of as more beautiful, so women of higher class would practice foot binding to be more appealing and so that they could wear the cute small shoes. Poor women needed to be able to work in the fields, so they did not practice this mdofication.
Basically, young girls' feet were wrapped with tight bandages so that the feet could not grow and develop naturally. The feet would instead bread and become highly deformed, typically not reaching bpast 4-6 inches long. Then, as the girl would age, her feet would stay the same size, which would actually lead to infection, paralysis, and even muscular attrophy. Basically, females who practiced foot binding, were not able to do anything strenuous; they even had trouble preparing meals and performing regular household duties that required them to be on their feet for long periods.
What is said is that the ideal sized foot was 3 inches long....
In the 17th century, Manchus tried to abolish the practice, be he failed. He was able to forbid Manchu women to bind their feet or their daughters. Instead they just wore flower bowl shoes, which gave the appearance of small feet.
But, the practice continued and began to flourish inthe 19th century all the way through the early 20th century before more people began to revolt the practice and actually start the anti-foot binding movement.
In 1911, the Qing Dynasty banned foot binding, and women were forced to unwrap their feet or else they would be killed. After unwrapping their feet, some women's feet actually grew 0.5 to 1 inch; of course this regrowth was very painful and even devasting to some.
1949, when the Communists took over, they maintained the strict ban on footbinding, which is still in effect today.
The Actual Process of Foot Binding
Basically, the mother or grandmother began binding the daughter or granddaughter's feet between the age of 4 and 7 before the arch of the foot had a change to properly develop.
Usually, they would start in the winter months so that the feet were numb and the pain would not be as severe.
First, both feet would be soaked in herbs and animal blood, which was thought to cause any necrotised flesh to fall off. Then the toenails were cut back as far as possible to prevent ingrowth and infections.
The feet where massaged and prepared for the silk or cotton bandages that were about 10 feet long and 2 inches wide, which were also soaked in the herbs and animal blood.
Then, the toes were broken and wrapped in the wet bandages, which would constrict when dried. The bandages were pulled very tightly downward towards the heal. Sometimes they had to make deep cuts in the sole.
Every two days, this was repeated with fresh bindings, and each time the feet were rebound tigheter, which makes the full practice very painful.
Common Complications During the Practice of Foot Binding
The most common problem during the foot binding process was infection. Sometimes the toenails would ingrow potentially causing flesh rotting, and sometimes causing the toes to fall off. Disease followed infection, which could potentially lead to deaht. And, sometimes, the ball of the foot would grow into the heal.
As the girl grew older, foot binding could cause other medical complications, and as the girl grew even older, it could lead to breaking hips and other bones. It also caused the women to have trouble standing up after sitting down.
Although there are different theories as to the beginning of the foot binding process. For the most part, though, it seems that women with small feet were thought of as more beautiful, so women of higher class would practice foot binding to be more appealing and so that they could wear the cute small shoes. Poor women needed to be able to work in the fields, so they did not practice this mdofication.
Basically, young girls' feet were wrapped with tight bandages so that the feet could not grow and develop naturally. The feet would instead bread and become highly deformed, typically not reaching bpast 4-6 inches long. Then, as the girl would age, her feet would stay the same size, which would actually lead to infection, paralysis, and even muscular attrophy. Basically, females who practiced foot binding, were not able to do anything strenuous; they even had trouble preparing meals and performing regular household duties that required them to be on their feet for long periods.
What is said is that the ideal sized foot was 3 inches long....
In the 17th century, Manchus tried to abolish the practice, be he failed. He was able to forbid Manchu women to bind their feet or their daughters. Instead they just wore flower bowl shoes, which gave the appearance of small feet.
But, the practice continued and began to flourish inthe 19th century all the way through the early 20th century before more people began to revolt the practice and actually start the anti-foot binding movement.
In 1911, the Qing Dynasty banned foot binding, and women were forced to unwrap their feet or else they would be killed. After unwrapping their feet, some women's feet actually grew 0.5 to 1 inch; of course this regrowth was very painful and even devasting to some.
1949, when the Communists took over, they maintained the strict ban on footbinding, which is still in effect today.
The Actual Process of Foot Binding
Basically, the mother or grandmother began binding the daughter or granddaughter's feet between the age of 4 and 7 before the arch of the foot had a change to properly develop.
Usually, they would start in the winter months so that the feet were numb and the pain would not be as severe.
First, both feet would be soaked in herbs and animal blood, which was thought to cause any necrotised flesh to fall off. Then the toenails were cut back as far as possible to prevent ingrowth and infections.
The feet where massaged and prepared for the silk or cotton bandages that were about 10 feet long and 2 inches wide, which were also soaked in the herbs and animal blood.
Then, the toes were broken and wrapped in the wet bandages, which would constrict when dried. The bandages were pulled very tightly downward towards the heal. Sometimes they had to make deep cuts in the sole.
Every two days, this was repeated with fresh bindings, and each time the feet were rebound tigheter, which makes the full practice very painful.
Common Complications During the Practice of Foot Binding
The most common problem during the foot binding process was infection. Sometimes the toenails would ingrow potentially causing flesh rotting, and sometimes causing the toes to fall off. Disease followed infection, which could potentially lead to deaht. And, sometimes, the ball of the foot would grow into the heal.
As the girl grew older, foot binding could cause other medical complications, and as the girl grew even older, it could lead to breaking hips and other bones. It also caused the women to have trouble standing up after sitting down.
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Normal foot versus a bound foot
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Comment by Dianna G
I Wish This Was 42
Fictional Worlds
~Dianna
Comment by Doug Pollard
Rainbow Reporter
"Podiatrist Brenden Brown said the US trend for cutting and shortening toes and injecting feet with Botox to numb the pain of uncomfortable shoes, was still rare in Australia."
Rare, but not unknown. What next?
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
I think it's a mistake to compare it to current trends in plastic surgery as women today who go under the knife choose to do so. These women did not. It belongs more in the class of other oppressive practices such as FGM.
Where did you get that photograph of the old woman with her mangled foot?
Comment by Neems
Koala Lounge
Truth Whisperer
Also frightening is the fact that a lot of those women subjected to this may not have had a say in the matter.
Our relentless pursuit and obsession with "beauty" has certainly led us to seriously disturbing practises.
I've heard of women cutting off their little toe so they may squeeze into those cute little pointy shoes.
People undergoing surgery to remove a rib or two so that they get that concave look around their stomachs (think Pamela Anderson was once accused of this).
What next?!?
Comment by AmyHuang
Project Job Search
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Comment by Cass
Filmsi
a) cultured and belong to the upper class to be able to afford hand maids to help them with housework and to help them walk
b) women who moved very little were deemed attractive and suitable wives because this denotes 'lady like' qualities
As it is, the decision was made for them when they were 4-7 years old. Clearly, they had no say in the matter. It then became a case of one generation following the tradition of those before them.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
i feel very sorry for the old woman pictured!
thanks god the communists had the sense to ban the practice!
Comment by Whitney
Gaming Life
Pet Advice
Tech Stripe
Alternative Look
Doug, I've heard of that. Again ridiculous. If you're feet don't fit in a shoe right, then you're not supposed to be wearing those shoes....
Ruby, that's a Flickr Creative Commons picture. The first picture of the shoes, is actually the same woman, wearing the shoes. I do agree that undergoing plastic surger now, is different as it's generally free will and want to go in and say hey I wnt my toes shortened to wear these heels, but at the same time, still ridiculous.
Cass, in a way it was for beauty, because many men found the smaller feet more attractive than regular sized feet. So in that sense it was for beauty.
Morgan, actually Manchus was able to stop it to some degree, but the Communists were those who were able to ban it completely.Manchu just started the anti-footbinding ban.
Comment by Cass
Filmsi
I agree that in a sense it was for beauty. It was deemed beautiful then.
The same way women today are wearing high heels in the name of beauty. It can hurt the calves muscle yet we still do it.
They're coming out with 20cm heels now. Apparently its the latest craze (a little platform under the toes and a thin long one under the heel). Could be a fad.
Then again, the same way we can put up with tired feet and walking around all day in killer heels in the name of beauty, the same way that generation could see it as beauty.
In those days, walking slowly is considered beautiful. Hence the bound feet.
Today, walking with your hips swaying (thanks to killer heels) and having legs that seem to go forever (also thanks to killer heels) is beautiful.
What we see today in bound feet as ugly, they saw then as beautiful.
100 years from now, women might be wondering why we wear high heels at all while we shrug today and say it's not that bad when you get used to it.
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Now there's a way to achieve a smaller shoe size .. der!
gosh, I almost hurled breakfast ...what were they thinking?
Lilla ...
Comment by Whitney
Gaming Life
Pet Advice
Tech Stripe
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Lilla, some thought that a Prince started the craze because he had clubbed feet and thought women with small feet were whatever.. Anyway, yea it's kinda gross, but it was their tradition. We have some interesting ones at that.
Comment by Cass
Filmsi
And yes, we have interesting ones too.
Comment by Whitney
Gaming Life
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Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Having gone through the process so young and gotten accustomed to their situation they then felt compelled to continue the practice with the next generation for fear of any consequences.
They did it to the kids. More than anything, that's what makes it so difficult to the stomach. I understand that it was an ancient tradition past on for many generations, but that does not make it easier to accept. Nor should it. There are many traditions practised by many different cultures to this day that would be best left in the past.
Comment by Whitney
Gaming Life
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Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Although, the way it is practised today, it's not painful, or if it is the pain is temporary. And there are no long term consequences or effects.
Oh except my brother in law reckons that uncircumcised men have better orgasms and that's why he refuses to circumcise his son. haha.
Comment by Whitney
Gaming Life
Pet Advice
Tech Stripe
Alternative Look
That's pretty funny about your brother in law.