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Chinese Footbinding

Chinese Footbinding. 缠足. History. Prince Li Yu-- Tang Dynasty (618-907) saw his concubine dance on her toes like a ballerina Su Shih– Song/Sung Dynasty (960-1270) imperial concubine required to dance with her feet bound By 12th century, practice widespread and more severe

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Chinese Footbinding

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  1. Chinese Footbinding 缠足

  2. History • Prince Li Yu-- Tang Dynasty (618-907) • saw his concubine dance on her toes like a ballerina • Su Shih– Song/Sung Dynasty (960-1270) • imperial concubine required to dance with her feet bound • By 12th century, practice widespread and more severe • Unable to dance, difficulty walking

  3. Popular during Southern Tang Dynasty Small feet preferred Became standard for beauty in court eventually spread to lower classes

  4. Had to be carried • Status symbol • Wealthy afford to keep women unproductive • “Clown feet” • Investment in the future • better marriage prospects

  5. Mid-1600s Manchus took over Yuan dynasty to create the Qing Empire • Against foot binding • Banned 1911 • Remote mountainous areas • Still had feet bound even when New China founded in 1949

  6. Process • Age three • 2” cloth strips • Bend toes under until bones broke • Occasionally fell off • “Golden lotus” • 3” long • Dainty and elegant

  7. Complications • Washed and cared for daily  • Nails grow into instep • Infection • Bindings too tight • gangrene and blood poisoning could occur • Painful and tender forever • Unpleasant smell

  8. Complications with Age • Standing, squatting, walking difficult • 5% lower hip and spine bone density • Frequent falls • Rising from chairs

  9. Shoes • Slippers • Many shapes and designs • Some very elegant • Display of higher social class

  10. 1998 last factory to manufacture shoes for bound feet women in Harbin, China, ended production • Still available on special order basis

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