The custom of footbinding in China, particularly among the elite, reveals a disquieting tale of societal norms and endurance. Originating from a 10th-century court dancer’s pursuit of beauty, footbinding became a symbol of refinement, akin to a Victorian tiny waist.
Despite causing enduring health issues for the women who practiced it, footbinding persisted for centuries, woven into the fabric of status and marriageability. Footbinding began in childhood, a painful process involving breaking toes and binding feet tightly, creating a coveted three-inch “Golden Lotus.”
The practice, fueled by economic and social factors, endured as unbound feet were deemed undesirable. The excruciating transformation, fraught with risks of infection and deformity, became normalized.
The 19th century witnessed Western influence challenging this brutal tradition. Missionaries and Chinese feminists advocated for its abolition, gaining momentum during the fall of the Qing Dynasty. However, it wasn’t until the Communists won the Chinese Civil War in 1949 that footbinding was officially outlawed.
The ban, rooted in the recognition of women’s value as equal partners, marked the end of a centuries-long ordeal, offering a glimmer of hope and progress in Chinese society at the time.
Top image: Chinese footbinding was a custom of wrapping up young girls’ feet to change their shape. Source: Queensland Museum / CC BY-SA 3.0.
