The Woodlands High School If the Shoe Fits… Susan Hollier The Woodlands High School

Stepping into the world of the Chinese This obligatory high rise step is found in all older buildings- the Chinese believe that “Evil” has no knees, so it cannot get inside a building. Only humans, equipped with knees, can enter. This keeps anything evil out of the building. The Ancient Tradition of Chinese Foot Binding

Early History The Chinese pursued the ideal known as the three-inch golden lotus It dealt with marriage, sex, status, beauty, and duty. Over a billion women had sacrificed their ability to move about freely and normally.

Crescent Moon Feet The practice began during the Southern Tang Dynasty (923-936 CE) The emperor was entranced by one of his concubines when she danced for him on a lotus petal-shaped stage. Thus began a 1000 year tradition that officially ended in 1911

Why? The subjugation of women Increased sexual appeal for the male

The Details The process began around age five. A bandage was wrapped around the foot so the arch was compressed and the four smaller toes were bent under. Over a two-year period tighter and tighter bandages and smaller shoes were used until the desired result was achieved.

The World of Light and Shadows …”People pass from the Light World to the Shadow World when they die. The Shadow World is female, Yin, the Negative Essence, the moon, and all things passive and deep. The Light World is male, Yang, Positive Essence, the sun, and all things strong and high.” – Chang p 89

A Woman’s Place “Caring correctly for the ancestors and maintaining the balance between the worlds is very important. Otherwise, the dead will leave the Shadow World and invade the Light World as lonely ghosts. We women can only assure our places in both the Light World and the Shadow World by providing male descendants for our husbands’ families.” Chang, p. 91

The “Natural Foot” Campaign Women with bound feet were not as productive although they were still required to produce as much as their normal-footed counterparts. Educated Chinese recognized that the West considered the practice barbaric.

Bound Feet and Western Dress “When a boy was born to the house, the servants saved his umbilical cord in a jar under Mama’s bed. When a girl was born, the servants buried her umbilical cord outside her house. A girl left her father’s house as soon as she came of age, and there was no need to save the umbilical cord of a guest.” Chang,p.6

Tiny Feet Stories “..Bound feet were a woman’s prized possessions, part of her dowry, gifts from a wealthy father to be presented to the worthy man. Legend has it a man briefly fondled the bound foot of a young maiden riding by on horseback. Her reputation had almost been dishonored.” Chang,p.89

Teahouse Evenings …”lily-footed ladies danced on tables and lured men with glimpses of their insteps barely covered by wrappings and dainty silk slippers. The mincing gait of these maidens, who could not stray beyond the limits of their room, bewitched men, young and old alike.” Chang,p.89

Cinderella’s Glass Slipper Western tradition has a variation in our fairy tale Cinderella. The ugly stepsisters’ feet were too large. Earlier accounts had the stepsisters cutting off their heels and toes to try to get their big feet into the slipper.

..and they all lived happily ever after….. We leave the Middle Kingdom to return to the US, where we continue our version of contorting the human foot- the high heel shoe……

Resources Foot Binding: National Geographic “Culture Shock Week”. Chang, Pang-Mei Natasha Bound Feet and Western Dress Bantam Books, 1996. Jackson, Beverley Splendid Slippers, Ten Speed Press,2000.