Images show the last women in China with bound feet, almost a century after the tradition was abolished. Foot binding the feet of young girls is an ancient Chinese tradition which was seen as a show of beauty at the time.
Images show the last women in China with bound feet, almost a century after the tradition was abolished. Foot binding the feet of young girls is an ancient Chinese tradition which was seen as a show of beauty at the time. These elderly women in Biejie City, China are the last of those in remote villages to have their feet bound.
An elderly woman shows her bound feet in new images that show the full extent of the centuries old tradition Photo:Dailymail
The elderly women posed for photos showing their bound feet in Weining Yi, Hui and Miao Autonomous County, in Bijie City, southwest China’s Guizhou province.
An old tradition: Elderly Chinese women show their bound feet in Weining Yi and Miao Autonomous County Photo:Dailymail
Foot binding was once a symbol of beauty and status. It was carried out in China from the 10th century.
Also known as lotus feet, it fell out of favour in the early 20th century before it was then outlawed in 1911.
Foot binding was once a symbol of beauty and status. It was carried out in China from the 10th century Photo:Dailymail
The process for foot binding usually occurred when girls were between the ages of four and nine, just before their feet were fully developed.
It was often carried out during the winter months when the girls’ feet would be numb from the cold.
The feet were soaked in a warm mixture of herbs and animal blood to soften them and the toenails were cut back as far as possible.
Now extinct: At its peak, foot binding, also known as ‘Lotus feet’ was thought to be a sign of true beauty Photo:Dailymail
Then the toes on each foot were curled backwards and pressed downwards and squeezed into the sole of the foot until the toes broke.
Next, the arch was then broken and bandages were wound around the foot, pressing the toenails underneath.
The feet would be unbound and washed regularly before the bandages were then reapplied even tighter.
Many women who underwent foot binding were left with lasting disabilities.
A woman in her 80s shows off her bound feet, she is thought to be one of the last woman in China with ‘Lotus feet Photo:Dailymail
Source:Dailymail
