Foot binding is a bad habit in ancient China. It is a cloth that wraps a woman's feet tightly to make them deformed. Generally female, from.
From the age of four or five, the foot binding begins, and the cloth belt is untied after the adult skeleton is set, and there are also lifelong wrappers.
There are various theories about the origin of foot binding, but there is no conclusive evidence. Some people say that foot binding began in different dynasties such as Xia Yu, Shang Dynasty, Spring and Autumn Warring States, Sui Dynasty, Five Dynasties, Song Dynasty, etc., while others say that foot binding began with the preferences or hobbies of a certain emperor or noble, such as Daji, Li Yuan, Li Yu, Zhang Lihua, Rui Niang, etc. Scholar Gao Hongxing verified in his professional work "The History of Foot Binding" that foot binding began in the late Northern Song Dynasty and arose in the Southern Song Dynasty. He believes that foot binding is a social and cultural phenomenon, which is related to many factors such as politics, economy, culture, ideology, and customs, and cannot be simply attributed to the influence of individuals or individual cases.
Foot binding began in the Song Dynasty and gradually became popular throughout the country, especially in the south. The foot binding of the Yuan Dynasty continued to develop in the direction of slenderness. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, foot binding entered its heyday. The trend of foot binding has spread to women from all walks of life, whether rich or poor, they all bind their feet, but there are not a few who do not bind their feet.
There are also many ways to bind the feet, such as "three-inch golden lotus", "hull lily", "asahi lotus", "tangled branch lotus", etc., all of which are based on lotus flowers, implying nobility. There are also different standards for foot binding, such as "three inches", "four inches", "five inches", etc., all of which are measured in inches, implying exquisiteness.
The reason why foot binding can be popular is mainly because of the social and cultural environment and people's psychological needs at that time.
On the one hand, foot binding conforms to the feudal society's concept of male superiority and inferiority of women, and the etiquette and religion of male dominance and female dominance, and strengthens men's control and oppression over women by restricting women's actions, and also satisfies men's vanity and possessiveness.
On the other hand, foot binding catered to the deformed aesthetics of feudal society, and by changing women's feet, it created a petite, weak, and demure female image, and also stimulated men's sexual desire and emotions. In addition, foot binding was also fueled by literati and rioters, who praised the beauty of small feet in poems and songs, which influenced people's thoughts and tastes.
The abolition of foot binding is an important symbol of social change in modern China. After the Qing Dynasty was overthrown, Sun Yat-sen officially ordered a ban on foot binding. During the May Fourth Movement, foot binding became the target of various revolutionary movements and radicals, and Chen Duxiu, Li Dazhao and others wrote articles denouncing the destruction and oppression of women by foot binding. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the vice of foot binding was completely abolished, and Chinese women were completely liberated.
Foot binding is a kind of sadness in Chinese history, which reflects the darkness and backwardness of feudal society, and also reflects the helplessness and misery of women. Foot binding is not only contrary to nature and health, but also to humanity and dignity. The abolition of foot binding is a symbol of social progress in China, which shows people's consciousness and courage, as well as the status and rights of women. The history of foot binding should be remembered and reflected, as it reminds us to respect, protect, and care for women, so that women can enjoy an equal and free life.