footbinding

Footbinding was a historical practice of deforming the feet of young girls in China. It began around the 10th century during the Song Dynasty and continued until the early 20th century. The process involved tightly binding the feet of girls from a young age, usually between four and nine years old, to break and reshape the bones. The goal was to create small, slender feet, typically no longer than four inches, which were considered a symbol of beauty, status, and femininity.

The binding typically began by breaking the arch and the toes, then folding them under the sole of the foot. Long bandages were then wrapped tightly around the foot to maintain this deformed shape. The process was extremely painful and often led to lifelong disabilities. Women who underwent footbinding had difficulty walking and were prone to infections due to the constant pressure and open wounds. Despite the physical suffering, tiny, bound feet, known as "lotus feet," were highly sought after and were believed to enhance a woman's marriage prospects.

Footbinding was deeply ingrained in Chinese society and culture for centuries, associated with ideals of refinement and purity. However, by the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the practice faced increasing criticism, both from within China and from foreign observers. Reform movements gradually led to its decline, and it was largely abolished by the mid-20th century. Today, footbinding is widely recognized as a harmful and archaic custom that caused immense suffering to millions of women.