What is the Chinese Foot Binding Method?

The Chinese foot binding method was a centuries-old practice in China where young girls' feet were progressively deformed to achieve a tiny size, known as "lotus feet," considered a mark of beauty and status. This excruciating process involved intentionally breaking bones and tightly binding the feet to prevent growth and reshape them.

Historical Context and Origins

Foot binding originated in the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) or Five Dynasties period (907–960 AD), possibly among court dancers, and became widespread among elite women during the Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD). Over time, it permeated various social classes, becoming a deeply entrenched cultural norm associated with beauty, marriageability, and social standing, particularly for Han Chinese women.

The Painful Process of Foot Binding

The process of foot binding typically began when a girl was between four and nine years old, often around the age of five or six, before the bones of the foot fully developed, making it easier to deform. The steps involved were:

1. Soaking and Preparation: The girl's feet were first plunged into hot water, often mixed with herbs or alum, to soften the skin and make them pliable.
2. Nail Clipping: Her toenails were meticulously clipped short to prevent them from growing into the sole, which could lead to infections.
3. Massage and Oiling: The feet were then massaged and oiled to further soften the flesh and aid in the binding process.
4. Toe Breaking and Binding: Critically, all the toes, except for the big toes, were forcefully broken and bound flat against the sole of the foot. This severe manipulation aimed to create a distinctive triangle shape.
5. Tight Wrapping: Long strips of cotton or silk bandages, often several yards long, were then wrapped tightly around the broken toes and the arch of the foot, pulling the heel and ball of the foot closer together. The bandages were re-wrapped frequently, usually every few days, each time tighter than the last.
6. Continuous Deformation: Over several years, this relentless pressure would cause the arch of the foot to buckle and break, eventually leading to a severely deformed foot that could be as small as 3-4 inches (7-10 cm). The goal was to achieve a tiny, high-arched foot with a deep "cleft" where the arch had broken.

This process was intensely painful and often led to serious health complications such as infections, gangrene, and lifelong disability.

Reasons and Symbolism Behind Foot Binding

The motivations for foot binding were multifaceted and evolved over centuries.

• Aesthetic Beauty: Small, bound feet were considered the epitome of beauty and refinement, associated with fragility and delicacy. They were often referred to as "golden lotus" or "three-inch golden lotus."
• Social Status: For upper-class women, bound feet signified wealth and status, as it indicated that a woman did not need to perform manual labor.
• Marriageability: In many regions, foot binding was a prerequisite for marriage, as men often preferred wives with bound feet. It was seen as a sign of a woman's obedience and ability to endure pain.
• Sexual Allure: Some historical texts suggest that bound feet were also considered erotic, with the delicate gait they produced adding to their allure.
• Control and Confinement: The physical limitations imposed by bound feet also served as a means of social control, restricting women's mobility and keeping them confined to the home.

The Decline and Abolition

The practice of foot binding began to decline in the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to several factors:

• Missionary Opposition: Christian missionaries and Western influence condemned the practice as barbaric and inhumane.
• Reform Movements: Anti-foot binding societies emerged in China, advocating for its abolition as part of broader social reforms aimed at modernizing the nation and empowering women.
• Government Legislation: The Qing Dynasty (1644–1912) made attempts to ban the practice, but it was largely ineffective until the Republican government of China officially outlawed it in 1912 following the fall of the Qing Dynasty.
• Social Change: The rise of nationalism and the desire for a stronger, more modern China led to a rejection of traditional practices seen as backward or harmful.

Despite the ban, foot binding persisted in some remote areas for several decades, with the last known cases of girls being bound occurring in the mid-20th century. Today, it stands as a stark reminder of historical beauty standards and their profound impact on women's lives.