The Foot Binding practice of China is the oldest tradition dating back to the 10^th Century during the Tang Dynasty by an empress named Pan Yunu who had a clubfoot.

This practice was being carried out among the young girls of the era, with an aim to restrict the normal growth of the foot and make it as small as possible. It was a painful and permanent practice done as a part of their cultural heritage and for many aesthetical purposes.  

The young girl’s foot was bound typically between the age group of five to eight years. However, to achieve the desired results, girls bound their feet for decades.  

In the process, the foot was bound with the long strips of cloth in such a way that the big toe faced forward, while the smaller were bent under the foot to restrict the growth of the foot and make it into a pronounced arch. While the process also caused foot breakage and other physical deformities and disabilities among the females.

Lotus Feet of China 

This long process was being carried out till the girls reached teenage years, which interestingly resulted no longer feet than 7.5 to 10 Cm. The Ideal size of the foot was only about 3-4 inches in length and was also known as the ‘Golden Lotus’ and ‘Lotus feet’.  

The Practice is termed as the Golden Lotus as Pan Yunu, Emperor renowned for having delicate feet, once performed a dance barefoot on a floor decorated with the design of a golden lotus, after which she expressed her admiration, said that “lotus springs from her every step!”  

Symbolically, girls with smaller feet were considered attractive, elegant and royal. Women with bound feet tend to adopt lighter steps and were seen more desirable by the rich and royal class people.  

A Symbol of beauty and Royalty

The Bound feet was a status symbol and the only way for a woman to marry into money. Many poor families used to bind their daughter’s foot to attract rich and wealthy spouses for them.  

Origin of Foot Binding practice

While the origin of this practice is still somewhat unclear to many people, some also believe that initially this practice was adopted by the dancers and courtesans to make their feet look more smaller, appealing and delicate, which over the time soon spread among other social classes.  

Thus, with male fascination for a smaller feet and court of point dancers, the practice rapidly gained popularity in China. 

 Initially it was rampant among the upper-class people as during that time. The cost of bandages and labor associated with caring for the women was quite burdensome for the poor families, causing the practice often delayed until the girls become older.  

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In some cases, the Foot Binding practice persisted for centuries and was seen as a sign of feminism, refinement and to make the girls more suitable in marriage. Meanwhile, by the 20^th Century it was declined in China as the country modernized and the raising influence on Women’s rights.