Foot Binding

Foot binding is a historical tradition in China that has left a lasting impact on the perception of beauty and gender roles. Despite its origins dating back to the 10th century, it wasn’t until the Song Dynasty (960-1279) that foot binding became prevalent among women of higher social status.

The process of foot binding involved tightly binding the feet of young girls with cloth strips, forcing the toes to fold under and the arch of the foot to break, resulting in a permanent deformation. This practice was considered a symbol of status and beauty, as it showed that a woman was wealthy enough not to need to work outside of the home.