Foot Binding
For what reasons and results did mothers bind their daughter’s feet in China?
History 20I
Historical Investigation
Word Count: 2,000
Julie Diep
April 1, 2012
A. Introduction In contrast to a physically disabled child’s question of “Why me?” left unanswered, the traditional Chinese had a cruel yet straight forward answer of “Because your childhood is over and it is time to grow into a woman.” Which led to the merciless act of willingly breaking and forcefully binding a girl’s foot at a ripe young age to the length of three inches, no longer than the length of a deck of cards. Woman who were seen inferior to men, were treated as objects exchanged in marriage for business or to tie two families together. They were expected to follow society’s rules, foot binding being one of these rules to increase the value of a female. During the 19th century, “…40–50% of Chinese women had bound feet; for upper class women, the figure was almost 100%...” (William Rossi). The Chinese culture encouraged this foot binding process as it was highly desired from ancient China to the 20th century until the establishment of the new Chinese Republic officially banning the process, ceasing it’s use. Mothers considered and inflicted the painful process of foot binding upon their daughters for reasons of marriage, status, and beauty with positive results or death from infection and a life-long physical disability.
B. Summary Of The Evidence * The practices of foot binding were described as “San tsun gin lian,” “Golden Lotus” or “Lily”. By the 19th century, 40–50% of Chinese women had bound feet and for upper class women, the figure was almost 100%. * According to historical account, root of foot binding lie in China in the Sung Dynasty (960-1279 A.D.), during the rule of Emperor Li Yu in China. The ruler 's favorite concubine Yao-Niang performed a dance on the tips of her toes atop a golden lotus pedestal. * Another origin is of an Empress who had club-like
History 20I
Historical Investigation
Word Count: 2,000
Julie Diep
April 1, 2012
A. Introduction In contrast to a physically disabled child’s question of “Why me?” left unanswered, the traditional Chinese had a cruel yet straight forward answer of “Because your childhood is over and it is time to grow into a woman.” Which led to the merciless act of willingly breaking and forcefully binding a girl’s foot at a ripe young age to the length of three inches, no longer than the length of a deck of cards. Woman who were seen inferior to men, were treated as objects exchanged in marriage for business or to tie two families together. They were expected to follow society’s rules, foot binding being one of these rules to increase the value of a female. During the 19th century, “…40–50% of Chinese women had bound feet; for upper class women, the figure was almost 100%...” (William Rossi). The Chinese culture encouraged this foot binding process as it was highly desired from ancient China to the 20th century until the establishment of the new Chinese Republic officially banning the process, ceasing it’s use. Mothers considered and inflicted the painful process of foot binding upon their daughters for reasons of marriage, status, and beauty with positive results or death from infection and a life-long physical disability.
B. Summary Of The Evidence * The practices of foot binding were described as “San tsun gin lian,” “Golden Lotus” or “Lily”. By the 19th century, 40–50% of Chinese women had bound feet and for upper class women, the figure was almost 100%. * According to historical account, root of foot binding lie in China in the Sung Dynasty (960-1279 A.D.), during the rule of Emperor Li Yu in China. The ruler 's favorite concubine Yao-Niang performed a dance on the tips of her toes atop a golden lotus pedestal. * Another origin is of an Empress who had club-like
Bibliography: Myfanawy, Evans. ”The Painful Tradition of Foot Binding in China”, Pattya Daily News, September 16, 2010, 1 (accessed March 28, 2012). [ 4 ]. Myfanawy, Evans. ”The Painful Tradition of Foot Binding in China”, Pattya Daily News, September 16, 2010, http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2010/09/16/the-painful-tradition-of-foot-binding-in-china/ [ 5 ] [ 9 ]. Wikipedia contributors, “Foot binding”, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Foot_binding&oldid=4839893611 (accessed March 28, 2012). [ 14 ]. Jeanine Holman, “Foot Binding”, 2010, http://www.josephrupp.com/history.html