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Woman with bound feet, China
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Woman with bound feet, China
Woman with bound feet, China. Date: circa 1890
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14137245
© Mary Evans Picture Library/Pump Park Photography
Bind Binding Bound Feet Foot Painful Severe Technique Tradition Vase
EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph captures the image of a Chinese woman from the late 1800s, a time when the ancient practice of foot binding was still prevalent in Chinese society. Foot binding was a painful and severe custom that involved wrapping and binding the feet of young girls to prevent their growth, creating an elongated and narrow shape. This practice, which began in the imperial courts during the Song Dynasty, was considered a symbol of beauty and elegance, and was believed to make women more desirable as brides. The woman in the photograph is shown sitting gracefully on a chair, with her bound feet resting on a decorative vase. She wears a traditional Chinese dress, adorned with intricate patterns and vibrant colors, and holds a fan in her hand. Her bound feet, though small and delicate in appearance, would have caused her immense pain and discomfort. Despite the discomfort and health risks associated with foot binding, it remained a deeply rooted tradition in Chinese culture for centuries. The technique involved wrapping the feet in silk bandages and binding them with strips of fabric, which were tightened daily to maintain the desired shape. The process began when girls were as young as five years old and continued until they were married. This photograph provides a glimpse into a bygone era, offering a poignant reminder of the lengths women went to in the name of beauty and tradition. It is a powerful reminder of the complex and often contradictory nature of human desires and the ways in which cultural practices can shape our lives in profound and enduring ways.
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