Ties That Bind, Ties That Break

The Chinese practice of foot binding refers to a custom that women, especially those of the upper classes, may have been subjected to starting in the Shang Dynasty (1700-1027 B.C.). However, foot binding probably became widespread during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). There are different stories about its origins; one says that a concubine of the Southern Tang emperor who lived just before the Song Dynasty bound her feet and did a dance for him that was so graceful others tried to copy her. Foot binding remained popular until the early 1920s—about the time this narrative takes place; the last women who had their feet bound did so in the 1940s.

The painful process involves breaking the toes and arches of the foot by bending the four smaller ones into the sole of the foot. Feet were formed into a crescent shape by winding them tightly in 10-foot-long cloth bandages repeatedly over the course of years until they were just 3-4 inches in length. This was called “lotus feet” or the “golden lotus.” The process is usually done in young girls because the softer, younger bones of children break more easily. Foot binding was a status symbol, often performed under social duress—a virtual requirement for women to marry into moneyed families.