I need to find a primary source for foot binding in China?
Does anyone know of a good primary source for foot binding in China?
a primary source would be difficult for such a specific thing.
however, foot binding, to the best of my knowledge has a couple of sources…it was a sign of wealth and social status. A woman who had this done could not work at all so was a sign she didn’t need to contribute to the family finances ie. she’s rich.
Also, it was simply considered physically desirable. There is no accounting for taste when it comes to what any given culture considers "beauty". Stretched out necks on women in some African cultures, plastic surgery to give Japanese women "round" western eyes, to large fake silicone breasts in the US. Unfortunately, women catch the worst of it.
February 7th, 2010 at 10:31 am
You might want to look up ancient Chinese history, or pre Communist China. I believe the reason for this practice was for the women, from the time of birth, they would have feet bound up. I believe it made their feet really sensitive. And when they were punished, the person administering the punishment would try to straighten their feet out thus causing excruciating pain.
I could be wrong. . .
References :
February 7th, 2010 at 11:18 am
a primary source would be difficult for such a specific thing.
however, foot binding, to the best of my knowledge has a couple of sources…it was a sign of wealth and social status. A woman who had this done could not work at all so was a sign she didn’t need to contribute to the family finances ie. she’s rich.
Also, it was simply considered physically desirable. There is no accounting for taste when it comes to what any given culture considers "beauty". Stretched out necks on women in some African cultures, plastic surgery to give Japanese women "round" western eyes, to large fake silicone breasts in the US. Unfortunately, women catch the worst of it.
References :
I teach history