Just In
- 45 min ago Daily Horoscope, 26 March 2024: Virgo Will See Love And Affection In Their Relationship
- 22 hrs ago Exclusive: On Holi, Try This Trippy Tequila Dhokla Recipe To Win Hearts On Festival Of Colours
- 24 hrs ago Exclusive: Hazards Of Using Synthetic Holi Colours, Doctor-Approved Tips On How To Protect Your Skin, Hair
- 24 hrs ago Holi 2024: 7 Homemade Scrubs To Bid Farewell To Color Damage And Protect Your Skin
Don't Miss
- Movies ENT LIVE Updates: Taapsee-Mathias Celebrate Holi Together Amid Wedding Reports; BMCM Trailer To Be Out Today
- Sports Slovenia vs Portugal: Will Cristiano Ronaldo play in Portugal's Friendly Tonight?
- Finance Stock Market Live Updates:Gift Nifty Cues Positive; US Market Down
- News Bengaluru: Fan Breaches Security During RCB Match, Touches Virat Kohli's Feet In Chinnaswamy Stadium
- Education THDC Recruitment 2024; Salary Upto Rs. 1,60,000, Check out for more details
- Automobiles Citroen Basalt Vision To Be Revealed On March 27 – Powertrain, Features & More
- Technology Xiaomi 14 Review: A Pro Flagship in Everything but Name!
- Travel Learn About the Types of US Visas Available for Indian Immigrants and the Visa Process
The Barbaric Chinese Fashion Fad: The Lotus Feet
When it comes to traditions we, Indians, are the weirdest; but wait, have you heard about Chinese lotus feet tradition? If not, prepare to disgust or shock yourself because this tradition isn't pretty. Lotus feet or feet-binding is a Chinese tradition to prevent the growth of young Chinese girls' (around 5 to 6 years old) feet by binding them with a piece of cloth. Beauty comes with pain, and Chinese have taken it quite seriously.
A deformed foot because of forceful binding
Image courtesy: metro.uk
The standards of beauty were different and painful in 10th century China. A Chinese bride must have a 3-inch foot, called the golden lotus; or a 4-inch foot, called the silver lotus in order to look attractive to her groom. Anything beyond 5-inches was considered ugly and was given a term iron lotuses. The marriage prospects were hugely dependent on a girl's foot length and that's why desperate attempt were taken to prevent a Chinese girl's feet growth.
It was said that a woman with bond feet would be submissive to her husband, and hence would make a good wife. Well, what can we say? Sexism at its heights. Such barbaric traditions lead to morbid bone structure deformations in Chinese girls.
A 3-inch long foot, a desirable feature for a 10-century Chinese bride
Image courtesy: ivman
The feet were bound in the following way:First off, feet were washed with hot water and toe nails were clipped short. Then the feet was massaged with the oil and the toes were broken into a triangular shape. Then, the feet were bound by a silk strip that were removed every two days to avoid infections. Any extra flesh was cut and girls were encouraged to walk distances in order to strain their arch. After two years the bandages were removed, leaving the feet in utter morbid deformity and broken bone structure.
Not a doll's shoe. Customized shoes for Lotus Feet.
Image courtesy: duitang
This ghastly tradition is believed to get inspired from a 10-century Chinese dancer Yao Niang, who bound her feet into a new moon's shape. She danced on her toes inside a golden lotus which beguiled the emperor Li Yu. Apart from deforming the foot, it adversely affected the gait; producing a sort of sensual movements. Eventually, the art was picked up by many other court ladies and was then spread across the country, making it a practice of elite class.
An old Chinese woman subjected to the barbaric practice of feet-binding
Image courtesy: dailymail.co.uk
Finally, the lotus feet was outlawed in the 18th century when some women refused to bind their feet. Later, various anti-foot binding societies were born in order to eradicate this barbaric practice completely.
A customized shoe made exclusively for lotus feet.
Image courtesy: npr.org
Well, fashion has its own absurd and sometimes barbaric roots, don't you agree?
Check out more fashion facts here: Did You Know the History Of False Eyelashes? No? Click To Know., Quick Fact: How The Bikini Got Its Name
- bollywood wardrobeNora Fatehi And Mrunal Thakur Make Stunning Statements In Their Midi Dresses; Whose Outfit Would You Steal?
- bollywood wardrobeMouni Roy And Gauahar Khan Show How To Spice Up The Oomph Factor In Their Stylish Pants Set
- bollywood wardrobeRakul Preet Singh Exudes Charm And Fresh Aura In Her Multicolour Printed Dress; Pictures Inside!
- bollywood wardrobeEsha Gupta’s Turquoise Blue Bodycon Dress Is So Affordable That You Can Easily Add It To Your Closet
- bollywood wardrobeNushrratt Bharuccha Looks Ravishing In These 3 Different Outfits From Her Song, Saiyaan Ji
- bollywood wardrobeSherni Promotions: Vidya Balan Shows Flower Power In Her Stylish Dress, Pretty Palazzo Set And Lovely Saree
- fashion trendsKylie Jenner Pulls Off The Dual Toned Bodycon Dress Like A Boss Lady As She Attends New York City Event
- bollywood wardrobeAamna Sharif’s Bright Yellow Co-ords And Powder-Blue Lehenga Will Refresh Your Mood In Seconds
- bollywood wardrobeMaharani Promotions: Huma Qureshi Gets Us Party-Ready With Her Black Separates For Under Rs 5K Only!
- bollywood wardrobeJanhvi Kapoor, Katrina Kaif And Other Divas Exude Comfy Vibes In Their Monsoon-Perfect White Breezy Dresses
- bollywood wardrobeJasmin Bhasin Is A True Blue Princess In Her Dreamy Aqua-Blue Lehenga And We Cannot Take Our Eyes Off Her
- bollywood wardrobeHappy Birthday Sonam Kapoor: 4 Stylish Skirt Sets From Fashionista’s Instagram For Different Occasions