Golden Lotus: The True Story Behind the Persistent Foot Binding in China

Foot binding, a tradition that persisted for about a thousand years in China, went from being a source of pride to a hidden shame. For centuries, millions chased the "golden lotus," three-inch feet that's considered the most desirable for women. Here's the story behind the now-taboo practice of foot binding.

According to a report from Smithsonian, the tradition of foot binding began when a 10th century court dancer named Yao Ning who bound her feet in the shape of the new moon and mesmerized Emperor Li Yu with a dance. It set the tone for centuries after; small feet was considered a status symbol since then.

Court ladies began foot binding, while families made marriageable daughters do it to achieve a higher status in society. The golden lotus was the goal, but four-inch feet called a silver lotus was also respectable. In contrast, girls with iron lotuses - feet that are five inches or longer - are considered less of a catch with little prospects for marriage.

To achieve the smallest possible size, foot binding began as early as five or six years old. Young girls had their feet soaked in hot water, then toenails were cut short. After the feet were massaged and oiled, all the toes except the biggest one were broken and placed flat on the sole, then the feet were bent roughly in half. The feet are then bound in place with a silk cloth. The process takes about two years; the wraps are tighter and the shoes smaller as the feet are crushed over time.

Foot binding was eventually banned in 1911, according to a report from Telegraph. However, habits are hard to break and there were women who practiced through to 1949. In 1966 to 1976, China's cultural revolution, government officials even had to forcibly remove the bindings from the feet of women who didn't want to do it themselves.

Jo Farrell, a British photographer who spent years documenting the remaining Chinese women with bound feet, first encountered materials that depicted the practice as barbaric and victimized women. But, she added, not all of them saw it that way.

"They were proud of what they achieved," Farrell explained. "Most will show the size of their feet and explain that they used to be smaller. They were the most beautiful in their village because of their small feet."