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Culture
Lotus Feet (Foot Binding)
Chánzú
The short answer
Foot binding (纏足) was the practice of tightly binding girls' feet to make them small, from around the 10th century to the early 20th century. It was banned in 1912 and caused lifelong disability.
Where
China
Category
Historical Practice
When
Historical
Origin
10th Century - early 20th Century
What it is
The historical practice of tightly binding the feet of young girls to modify their shape and size a symbol of beauty and status.
Why it matters
Once seen as a mark of gentility and attractiveness it was a painful and disabling practice that limited women's mobility.
Fun fact
The ideal bound foot was called the 'three-inch golden lotus' (三寸金蓮 (三寸金莲)).
Kungfucius says: A beauty standard so painful it took a revolution to end it.
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