In China, there existed an ancient practice that involved binding the feet of girls. This foot binding practice became a tradition that served as a measure of beauty. During this period, women with this feet wore specially made shoes known as “lotus shoes,” and the result of the binding is what they call the “lotus feet” or “golden lotus.” These specially made shoes were used by these women to support their stability so has to enable them to walk.
There are different myths and stories that explain the origin of the foot binding tradition in China. The first myth says that it began during the Song Dynasty in the 10th century, with the Emperor’s favorite concubine, Daji. Daji was born with abnormal feet and she wore a 5.5-inch shoes. There is a claim that says other women who lived in China at this time wanted to copy her because, to them, her small feet seemed attractive. Others claim that Daji lived a depressing life and ordered court ladies who had just given birth to bind their daughters’ feet so that they would be just like her.
Another story attributes the practice to Yao Inviang, a court dancer in the 10th century. It is believed that it was from her that this practice emanated and became popular among the elites of that period. By the 17th century, the practice expanded to the middle class as well, leading to the total acceptance of the practice and making it a tradition. This encouraged the higher class to marry from the lower class. However, in the 17th century, Emperor Chua Chi of the Manchu dynasty tried to end to the practice in 1645 CE, but his efforts yielded nothing because the practice had already become prominent. Also, Kang Hsi, another emperor in 1662 CE, tried to end the practice but couldn’t. However, in 1912, the practice was successfully outlawed by the Christian missionaries who would not stop until they saw the practice put to and end. The last factory to produce the lotus shoes was closed down in 1999.
One of the pros of foot binding is that it served as a symbol of beauty. During this period, small feet were considered to be a mark of beauty. Their tiny feet served as a measure of their beauty and as a criterion for getting a husband. When a girl was either 5 or 6 years old, her feet would be bound by an elderly woman in the family or by a professional foot binder in the community with the major aim of getting feet that were no longer than 7.5 to 10 cm. The process was excruciating because feet of young girls were tied tightly in order to change the size and shape of their legs to prevent them from growing. However, women took great pride in their tiny feet.
Despite its perceived beauty, this act produced adverse effects on Chinese women, and one of the effects was the lifelong disability. The lotus feet reshaped their feet and limited their mobility and affected the way they walked. This disability remained with them throughout their lives.
In conclusion, the practice of the foot binding in ancient China had several implications in the lives of women. Although it was considered to be beautiful, but the negative effects overshadow the positive impacts. Understanding this explains that some societal definition of beauty is harmful rather than empowering.
