Foot Binding:Foot Binding:

Cultural Beauty or Cruelty?Cultural Beauty or Cruelty?

What is it?What is it?

This was a custom practiced on This was a custom practiced on females for approximately one females for approximately one thousand years in China.thousand years in China.

It began in the 10th century and It began in the 10th century and ending in the early 20th ending in the early 20th century.century.

This act, foot binding, was an This act, foot binding, was an attempt to stop the growth of attempt to stop the growth of the foot. the foot.

Foot binding was a status symbol, since Foot binding was a status symbol, since only the wealthy could afford to keep only the wealthy could afford to keep women unproductive. women unproductive.

Foot binding continued to spread from Foot binding continued to spread from the royalty, to the wealthy and the royalty, to the wealthy and eventually all classes of people had eventually all classes of people had their feet bound.their feet bound.

Poor people did so in hopes of Poor people did so in hopes of improving their social status. improving their social status.

According to legend, women were According to legend, women were bound in this way to replicate an bound in this way to replicate an imperial concubine who danced with her imperial concubine who danced with her feet wrapped in silk. feet wrapped in silk.

The ProcessThe Process In China foot binding started between the ages of 4 and In China foot binding started between the ages of 4 and

6. Why? 6. Why? – so that the arch did not have much time to develop.so that the arch did not have much time to develop.

The mother who was the one to bind the feet, and The mother who was the one to bind the feet, and usually started the process late in the fall or winter.usually started the process late in the fall or winter.– Why? - so the foot would be numb and the pain would not be as Why? - so the foot would be numb and the pain would not be as

severesevere

The daughters' feet would first be soaked in warm water The daughters' feet would first be soaked in warm water or animal blood and herbs. The special potion that was or animal blood and herbs. The special potion that was used for this caused any dead flesh (Skin) to fall off.used for this caused any dead flesh (Skin) to fall off.

She would have her toe nails cut as short as possible She would have her toe nails cut as short as possible therefore not allowing them to grow into the foot. After therefore not allowing them to grow into the foot. After she received a foot massage, the four smallest toes on she received a foot massage, the four smallest toes on each foot were brokeneach foot were broken

The mother soaked silk or cotton bandages in the same liquid The mother soaked silk or cotton bandages in the same liquid the girl's feet were soaked in. The bandages, which were ten the girl's feet were soaked in. The bandages, which were ten feet long and two inches wide, were wrapped around the feet long and two inches wide, were wrapped around the smallest toes and pulled tightly to the heel. The toes were smallest toes and pulled tightly to the heel. The toes were doubled under the soles, and deep cuts might be made in the doubled under the soles, and deep cuts might be made in the soles to make this easiersoles to make this easier

Every two days, the binding was removed and rebound. This Every two days, the binding was removed and rebound. This part of the process went on for two years. The process was part of the process went on for two years. The process was very painful; every time the feet were rebound the bandages very painful; every time the feet were rebound the bandages were pulled tighter. were pulled tighter.

By this time her feet were three to four inches long. To assure By this time her feet were three to four inches long. To assure the feet staying small, the ritual continued for at least ten the feet staying small, the ritual continued for at least ten more yearsmore years

Her heels developed extremely hard calluses because she Her heels developed extremely hard calluses because she walked on her heels, unable to put weight on her doubled-walked on her heels, unable to put weight on her doubled-under toes.under toes.

The ideal was a 3-in. foot, and no longer than 4 in. Bound feet The ideal was a 3-in. foot, and no longer than 4 in. Bound feet would bend, becoming so concave they were sometimes would bend, becoming so concave they were sometimes described as "lotus hooks".described as "lotus hooks".

The binding process resulted in intense pain and caused The binding process resulted in intense pain and caused phalanges to fracture easily phalanges to fracture easily

Possible Problems?Possible Problems?

As the girl reached adulthood, her feet would remain small As the girl reached adulthood, her feet would remain small and dysfunctional, prone to infection, paralysis, and and dysfunctional, prone to infection, paralysis, and muscular atrophy. muscular atrophy.

The pain of the bound feet never stopped. The pain of the bound feet never stopped.

The most common consequence was infection. The most common consequence was infection. – The ball of the foot would folding directly into the heel. The ball of the foot would folding directly into the heel. – The toenails continued to grow, eventually curling into the skin. The toenails continued to grow, eventually curling into the skin.

This led to flesh rotting off, and sometimes even a toe.This led to flesh rotting off, and sometimes even a toe.

The worst part of the process was that the feet would The worst part of the process was that the feet would practically die after three years. practically die after three years. – The feet being dead caused a terrible smell the girl carried with The feet being dead caused a terrible smell the girl carried with

her everywhere. Diseases followed infections, and death could her everywhere. Diseases followed infections, and death could even result from foot binding.even result from foot binding.

The women who had their feet bound The women who had their feet bound were more likely to:were more likely to:– FallFall– Less able to squat Less able to squat – Less able to rise from a sitting position in Less able to rise from a sitting position in

their older years. their older years.

The combination of the lower hip bone The combination of the lower hip bone density, along with the fact women density, along with the fact women with bound feet were more likely to with bound feet were more likely to fall, put these women at an extremely fall, put these women at an extremely high risk for hip fractures. high risk for hip fractures.

OppositionOpposition

The Manchus who conquered China in the 17th The Manchus who conquered China in the 17th century tried without success to abolish the practice. century tried without success to abolish the practice. – Manchu women were forbidden from binding their feet or Manchu women were forbidden from binding their feet or

the feet of their daughters. Instead they wore 'flower the feet of their daughters. Instead they wore 'flower bowl' shoes which gave the illusion of tiny feet.bowl' shoes which gave the illusion of tiny feet.

Bound feet became an important differentiating Bound feet became an important differentiating marker between Manchu and Han. marker between Manchu and Han.

In 1911, the Republic of China government banned In 1911, the Republic of China government banned foot binding; women were told to unwrap their feet foot binding; women were told to unwrap their feet lest they be killed. lest they be killed. – Some women's feet grew 1/2 - 1 inch after the Some women's feet grew 1/2 - 1 inch after the

unwrapping, though some found the new growth process unwrapping, though some found the new growth process extremely painful and emotionally and culturally extremely painful and emotionally and culturally devastating. devastating.

RationalRational

Men in China in that era would not marry a woman who did not Men in China in that era would not marry a woman who did not have bound feet. The man's mother was always responsible for have bound feet. The man's mother was always responsible for making sure the woman he was to marry had bound feet. making sure the woman he was to marry had bound feet.

– If the mother of the man lifted up the woman's dress and discovered If the mother of the man lifted up the woman's dress and discovered "clown feet," she would not allow her son to speak to that woman "clown feet," she would not allow her son to speak to that woman again. The mother of the man that she loved finding out she does not again. The mother of the man that she loved finding out she does not have bound feet was the most embarrassing thing that could happen have bound feet was the most embarrassing thing that could happen to you.to you.

Feet binding also divided men and women and upheld old Chinese Feet binding also divided men and women and upheld old Chinese beliefs. Foot binding kept women weak, out of power, and beliefs. Foot binding kept women weak, out of power, and dominated by her husband. When women bound their feet, men dominated by her husband. When women bound their feet, men could dominate more easily and not worry about women taking could dominate more easily and not worry about women taking their power.their power.

– The process took place so early, the young girl had no choice but to The process took place so early, the young girl had no choice but to follow her family's order and have her feet bound. She was seen as an follow her family's order and have her feet bound. She was seen as an object to the men, to be observed and look pretty, therefore appealing object to the men, to be observed and look pretty, therefore appealing to men mattered more to the girls than their health. to men mattered more to the girls than their health.

Western Western MisconceptionMisconception

First, many westerners believed that it was only the wealthy First, many westerners believed that it was only the wealthy women that had their feet bound and the poor women women that had their feet bound and the poor women strongly disagreed with the process. strongly disagreed with the process.

– The truth is that only the Hakka community and the boat The truth is that only the Hakka community and the boat dwellers of the Tanka community shunned it but the rest of the dwellers of the Tanka community shunned it but the rest of the Chinese society put it on a high pedestal. Chinese society put it on a high pedestal.

Secondly, Westerners believed that it was only women who Secondly, Westerners believed that it was only women who followed through with this process but this is incorrect.followed through with this process but this is incorrect.

– Some men- primarily actors and prostitutes also bound their Some men- primarily actors and prostitutes also bound their feet. Although foot binding had many misconceptions it did feet. Although foot binding had many misconceptions it did continue long after the nineteenth century continue long after the nineteenth century

Is this really so unusual though – isn’t it just Is this really so unusual though – isn’t it just another instance of women making themselves another instance of women making themselves beautiful through pain? beautiful through pain? And what about men?And what about men?

Other cultural modifications:Other cultural modifications:– Neck stretching:Neck stretching:

Rings are snapped around the necks of Rings are snapped around the necks of girls beginning at the age of six. A few girls beginning at the age of six. A few rings may be added every year, up to a rings may be added every year, up to a limit of 20. The record, according to one limit of 20. The record, according to one village woman, is 28 brass rings.village woman, is 28 brass rings.

The women's necks aren't actually The women's necks aren't actually stretched. Rather, the weight of the stretched. Rather, the weight of the rings gradually crushes the women's rings gradually crushes the women's collar bones, producing the illusion of collar bones, producing the illusion of long neckslong necks

Lip PlatesLip Plates Six months to a year before a girl is to be married, a small incision Six months to a year before a girl is to be married, a small incision

is made in the middle of her bottom lip and a stick is put in. is made in the middle of her bottom lip and a stick is put in.

Slowly over time, larger disks are inserted until her lip is stretched Slowly over time, larger disks are inserted until her lip is stretched big enough to be used for a basketball hoop. big enough to be used for a basketball hoop.

Many girls have their two lower teeth knocked out to Many girls have their two lower teeth knocked out to accommodate the huge plate causing them to drool and have accommodate the huge plate causing them to drool and have trouble speaking normally.trouble speaking normally.

The bigger the lip plate, the more physical strife the woman is able The bigger the lip plate, the more physical strife the woman is able to withstand, and the stronger she’ll be as a partner to her to withstand, and the stronger she’ll be as a partner to her husband.husband.

For many women getting a lip plate is the only hope they have for For many women getting a lip plate is the only hope they have for a decent marriage: the bigger the lip, the more desirable a woman a decent marriage: the bigger the lip, the more desirable a woman is, and the more cattle the groom’s family has to “trade” for him to is, and the more cattle the groom’s family has to “trade” for him to get a wife.get a wife.

– TattooingTattooing Tattooing has actually been practiced Tattooing has actually been practiced

since the time of the ancient Egyptians since the time of the ancient Egyptians and is common throughout the world and is common throughout the world

Tattooing instruments have been Tattooing instruments have been found at archaeological digs in found at archaeological digs in Europe that place the time as early Europe that place the time as early as 10,000 BC.as 10,000 BC.

– PiercingPiercing the practice of piercing a hole through the practice of piercing a hole through

the skin and inserting a piece of metal, the skin and inserting a piece of metal, bone, shell, ivory or glass to wear as an bone, shell, ivory or glass to wear as an ornament has been around for millennia ornament has been around for millennia

CorsetsCorsets

As early as 1700 BC, the Minoan men and As early as 1700 BC, the Minoan men and women wore corsets to pull in the waist.  women wore corsets to pull in the waist. 

After years of pulling corsets tighter and After years of pulling corsets tighter and tighter,  they dislocated internal organs—tighter,  they dislocated internal organs—

– constricting the lungs and heartconstricting the lungs and heart– putting pressure on the liverputting pressure on the liver– pushing up the stomachpushing up the stomach– squeezing the small intestines and bowelssqueezing the small intestines and bowels– and compressing the bladder. and compressing the bladder.

Plastic surgeryPlastic surgery

Some of these operations are called Some of these operations are called "cosmetic", and others are called "cosmetic", and others are called "reconstructive". "reconstructive".

The history of plastic surgery reaches The history of plastic surgery reaches back to the 1900's.back to the 1900's.

Physicians in ancient India were utilizing Physicians in ancient India were utilizing skin grafts for reconstructive work as skin grafts for reconstructive work as early as the 8early as the 8thth century BC. century BC.

Others?Others?

Ideas they usually come up with in Ideas they usually come up with in addition:addition:

Dying, straightening, etc hairDying, straightening, etc hair Make upMake up ScarringScarring High HeelsHigh Heels Contacts (colored eyes/designs)Contacts (colored eyes/designs) BotoxBotox WaxingWaxing FilingFiling

AssignmentAssignment

"The human body is a canvas for the expression of "The human body is a canvas for the expression of cultural ideas of men and women throughout time cultural ideas of men and women throughout time and around the world"and around the world"

Answer the following questions in essay form:Answer the following questions in essay form:

1. In your opinion, was foot binding a form of cultural 1. In your opinion, was foot binding a form of cultural beauty, cruelty to women, or male dominance? (Can be beauty, cruelty to women, or male dominance? (Can be multiple)multiple)

2. Compare and contrast foot binding to one or more other 2. Compare and contrast foot binding to one or more other forms of body modifications in America.forms of body modifications in America.

3. Foot binding was continued till 1957 although it was 3. Foot binding was continued till 1957 although it was illegal. Imagine you are a government official and argue illegal. Imagine you are a government official and argue your case to either keep it legal or to make it illegal.your case to either keep it legal or to make it illegal.

http://www.ccds.charlotte.nc.us/History/China/04/hutchins/hutchins.htm

http://www.angelfire.com/ca/beekeeper/foot.html

http://library.thinkquest.org/J0111742/footbinding.htm

http://www.museum.upenn.edu/new/exhibits/online_exhibits/body_modification/bodmodintro.shtml

http://www.historyforkids.org/crafts/china/footbinding.htm

Via Via http://www.divinecaroline.com/22361/101835http://www.divinecaroline.com/22361/101835-ouch-extreme-ethnic-body--ouch-extreme-ethnic-body-modifications#ixzz1PUBeL6CNmodifications#ixzz1PUBeL6CN