by Katherine Pham

The Process of Foot Binding

51371 — 2015-12-08 21:51:54 UTC

The process of foot binding was completed on a girl ranging from the ages five and six. It begins first off with the clipping of toe nails as well as the soaking of the feet to soften the tissues and bones. Then, the toes, excluding the big one, are broken and folded under the sole. Afterwards, the toes are bound in place with silk or a cotton bandage. Girls would then have to walk long distances, so that their own weight can crush their feet into shape. This process will be continued for an additional ten years after the foot has been wrapped.

J Mao. Foot Binding: Beauty And Torture. The Internet Journal of Biological Anthropology. 2007

The Purpose of Foot Binding

51238 — 2015-12-08 22:01:33 UTC

Foot binding was thought to be a requirement for marriage. Families with good reputation wanted to maintain it by binding their daughter's feet.

J Mao. Foot Binding: Beauty And Torture. The Internet Journal of Biological Anthropology. 2007

Why the Practice Ended

51238 — 2015-12-08 22:20:34 UTC

The practice of foot binding was outlawed in 1911 because it had handicapped many of the females that had done the practice. Foot binding had also brought female inequality.

J Mao. Foot Binding: Beauty And Torture. The Internet Journal of Biological Anthropology. 2007

Created by: Elaine Tong and Katherine Pham

51238 — 2015-12-08 22:32:30 UTC

51371 — 2015-12-08 22:36:50 UTC

51371 — 2015-12-08 22:37:53 UTC

51371 — 2015-12-08 22:49:33 UTC

How and Why Foot Binding Began

51371 — 2015-12-09 02:42:43 UTC

Foot binding originated with the infamous Take, the last empress of the Shang dynasty, who first started the odd custom for an attempt to pass as a form of beauty.

"Women in World History: PRIMARY SOURCES." Women in World History: PRIMARY SOURCES. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2015.

http://chnm.gmu.edu/wwh/p/61.html

Chinese Culture: Foot Binding

51371 — 2015-12-09 04:11:02 UTC