Some cultural practices may be easier to understand than others. Does anyone know the history behind foot binding?
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6 comments:
I have one word to say this, I understand! After seeing the pictures, I had to find out for myself! Below is a link of some interesting facts and other pictures about foot binding.
A little background information; I’m a Russian orthodox Christian. There are some traditions that we as a parish do. When I was a little child, I would often ask why? They would simply say, because everyone has to do. That was the answer I heard and I keep on hearing. I understand that the Chinese would do this, simply because their generation did. My traditions are not that painful but some are just as unusual as the Chinese foot binding.
http://www.ccds.charlotte.nc.us/History/China/04/hutchins/hutchins.htm
I also found this interesting. Why would anyone want to do that? It looks so painful. Well I found the reason; it goes back to custom/tradition. It was passed down generation to generation. The meaning behind it was: “The custom of foot binding was at first a sign of wealth, as the woman with a properly bound foot could do very little. This remained a custom of the royalty, nobility and very rich until the beginning of the 17th century. By the end of the 1600’s, millions of women from all classes were binding their feet in order to imitate the upper classes. Though the custom was outlawed in 1911, footbinding was not completely abandoned until the Communists, under the leadership of Mao Zedong, proclaimed the People’s Republic of China in 1949.” I found this information on http://www.footwearhistory.com/lotus.shtml
When I first saw the pictures posted of Chinese foot binding I could not imagine doing this to my foot. I was definitely interested in finding out the history of Chinese foot binding. I did my research on the internet and found that Chinese foot binding is an ancient tradition of beauty and torture, passed from mother to daughter, generation to generation, that lasted for almost 1,000 years.
There are seven reasons for foot binding. First, if a girl did not have bound feet it is said that she is more like a man then she is a woman and this will bring her great shame. Second, the girls’ feet should be bound so that they can walk beautifully, resembling flowers in the wind, showing that they are persons of respectability. Third, a person of good family does not wish to marry a woman with large feet. Fourth, a person with large, rough feet has to do rough work. If a girl has unbound feet, she must do harder work, and if she cannot do the work she is thought of as lazy and is shamed. Fifth, some women are mean and deceitful and these women have large feet. To keep from being confused with one of these women, mothers bound their daughter’s feet to distinguish her from them. Sixth, girls ought to stay in their house. If their feet are unbound they can go from house to house without assistance and with unfitting associates. These girls have no good name. The binding of the feet made women dependant on others. The girl’s inability to walk without the aid of a footman or servant was also a way in which a husband could be sure that his wife was not cheating on him or would not run away from him after the marriage. Lastly, parents believe that small will get a higher bride price and bind their daughter’s feet for the money.
The most common of reason is that foot binding is often thought of as a prerequisite for marriage. The mother-in-law would life the hem of the girl’s wedding dress to see her feet and if they met her expectations, the girl can marry, if not, the girl is shamed as is her family, and she cannot marry. This goes along with the second most common reason, family honor. Families with a good reputation, families wanting to maintain their good reputation, bind their daughter’s feet. A daughter carried the reputations of her family and her husbands family on her bound feet. These reasons are passed from woman to woman, and the young girl is trapped behind them, not wanting to defy religion, embarrass her family, or bring a poor bride price, she subjects to the torture and binds her feet.
Not only was the pain of the process great, but also the effects the bindings had on the feet and legs were vast as well. Some of the most common consequences were foot infections; blood poisoning and paralysis were also side effects of improper binding and foot care. The women also suffered lower back problems because their tiny three inch long feet had to support their entire weight and this caused them to bend and hunch over as they walked. Gangrene often resulted from unclean and uncared for cuts and sometimes resulted in amputation, although it was avoided at all costs.
The information I found about Chinese foot binding came from this website http://www.ccds.charlotte.nc.us/History/China/05/smithA/index.html.
The true origin of foot binding is less intrinsic than one might think. Beginning in the 10th century, and ending all too recently during the 20th century, due to the rights of gender equality, Chinese foot binding had been practiced by the female population for many reasons, although, through all of my research, I can not think of a single reason that could justify such a torturous and painful cultural distinction.
Before we examine the reasons why foot binding was part of the Chinese female culture, it is important to understand the actual process that a female would go through at an age that is far too young to even correlate with such immeasurable pain. Girls as young as 4 would have their feet bandaged up so tightly that the four smallest toes would be bent under the sole of the foot. And as the days continued, the bandage would get pulled tighter, until the foot reached the smallest size possible. This usually was when the heel of the foot was in a direct bowing position from that of the big toe. This process could take as long as 2 years and by then, the foot was considered completely useless.
There are many suggested reasons why Chinese foot binding was practiced, yet some historians still question the real origin behind this cultural phenomenon. Some say that it was used as a way to impress the emperor, while others state that it was used by the rich, as a way to be more “dependent” on others. Other reasons suggest that it was part of the contingency for creating a marriage, that it was a tradition passed on from mother to daughter, and that it was a symbol of chastity. However, regardless of the reasons and my personal opinions, this was, in fact, a part of Chinese culture, and it should be respected as such.
The exact way foot binding started is not fully known. Several legends have been passed down on how foot binding originally started. The most common legend is about the Chinese prince Li Yu in the Sung dynasty(Nadine 2).
website full of information in foot binding: http://www.ccds.charlotte.nc.us/History/China/04/hutchins/hutchins.htm
After seeing the pictures posted I was shocked to see what people would go through because of tradition and culture. I have heard of such events occuring but dont think of it happening in my neighborhood, down the block, or in my house.....but it does. I celebrate certain holidays because of my religion and nationalities, but never think of why I do. This reminds me of who I am and where I come from.
Things like this are occuring in every family; some more painful or traditional than others but again make a person who they are. Living in a melting pot society more and more traditions arise daily. Being a teacher, I plan to see this in any classroom I will be in and need to learn how to adapt to all cultural traditions. This reminds me of the activity we did in class about what certain motions or signs mean in other cultures. Traditions make a person who they are and as a person we shouldn't try to change a person or thier traditions.
I also echo the opinion that traditions must be respected. They make us what we are and give us an identity.
However, there are limits in modern times for those traditions that impose pain, suffering or lack of education and opportunity; from the Arab Nations, the African countries, Asia to South America, where women accept their fate as part of being women.
Pilar
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