Bound

Feet In

China

When did it start?

Beginning of 10th century Famous for 1000 years in China 2 billion Chinese women did this from

the late 10th century ‘til1949.

Why did it start? Usually the concubines of the prince had

tiny feetother women tried to imitate this. Became fashionable Began in the elite & wealthy parts of China The ideashow the freedom of “well-born

girls”dont need to work but direct the servants› Men showed off their wealthwives who exist

only to serve their husbands. People w/ bound feetvery proud of

themselves.

How did it affect China’s

development? Chinese people realized that

foot-binding wasnt reflecting well upon their reputation in international means.

Social Darwaniststhought it weakened China.› According to them, these women

produced weak sons. Feministsdid not like foot-

binding cuz it caused women to suffer.

How is it done? Break the arch of the foot before it

develops fully (4-7 years old)› This left an opening of 5 cm deepmost

desirable part 2 years to achieve the perfect result Applied in wintercuz feet are

numbless pain 7-9 cm feet Cause infection To walk with these feetbend knees

This “swaying” walkcalled the “Lotus Gait”

Sexually attrictive according to men

Steps1.Each footsoaked in a warm mixture of herbs and animal bloodto soften the foot2.toenailscut back as far as possible to prevent infections3. Massage4.3m long and 5 cm wide cotton bandagessoaked in blood and herb mixture.5. Toes on each footcurled underthen pressed w/ great force downwards + squeezed into the bottom of the foot ‘til toes broke. (btw, no pain relief)6.Broken toesheld tightly against the bottom of the foot.7.Footdrawn down straight w/ legarch is broken w/ force8. Bandages wrapped around VERY tightlymaking sure the broken toes are pressed into the foot + making the foot fold at the arch.9. Crucial to stand on freshly broken and bound feetto put more into the shape.10. Bandages were drying = making the binding tighter.

When did it end? Why?

Results in lifelong disabilities even if it’s stopped 1644Manchus began ruling Chinaforbid foot binding.

› But some women still continued BUT!after a reform in China in the 20th centurya real anti-

foot-binding movement began 1911fall of Qing Dynastythe Republic of Chinabanned

foot binding and women who did not unwrap thier feet would be killed.› Some women found this emotionallly and culturally

devastating. 1949Communists took overstrictly prohibit foot-

bindingstill effective atm. Taiwanbanned by the Japanese administration in 1915.

Relation to The Joy Luck Club

Work Cited http://xmb.stuffucanuse.com/xmb/image.php?&aid=82

7&foot-binding.jpg http://

forum.geomancy.net/upload/chinese%20foot%20binding1.5.jpg

http://torture.justsickshit.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/footbinding.gif

http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/china/clothing/pictures/footbinding.gif

http://www.angelfire.com/ca/beekeeper/ http://library.thinkquest.org/J0111742/footbinding.htm http://www.josephrupp.com/history.html http://www.essortment.com/all/chineseculture_rdpp.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foot_binding