Foot Binding

Foot binding for women is a custom that is unique to China.

Bound feet are commonly referred to a ‘lotus feet’ because of their crescent shape.

It is a disfiguring process that was only done to girls from the wealthy class.

Tiny, bound feet were considered a sign of female beauty and reminded women that they were not free.

The custom began in the Sung Dynasty (960-1280 CE) and was performed until the early 20th century.

Mothers would begin binding their daughter’s feet at three years old.

Toes from each foot were broken and then the sole of the foot was also broken. The foot was bound with the ball of the foot and heel pressed together.

Bound feet required a great deal of care and attention so that infection would not occur.

It was common for the toenails to become ingrown and infected; this infection often led to the toes falling off. The loss of toes was seen as a good thing because the feet were even shorter.

The goal of foot binding was to have the feet reach a size under 10 cm.

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