In the 12th century, foot binding became much more widespread, and by the early Qing Dynasty (in the mid-17th century), every girl who wished to marry had her feet bound. Legend says that foot binding began in Shang times. Foot binding in China was a practice that involved systematically wrapping a woman’s foot in cloth bandages over a period of years, forcing it to grow in a particular way. The process of foot binding was lengthy and excruciating. Generally practiced in China between the 10th and 19th centuries, the practice spanned five dynasties. Millions of Chinese women bound their feet, a status symbol that allowed them to marry into money. Foot binding among wealthy women Foot binding was performed on women through the 20th century. Millions of Chinese women bound their feet, a status symbol that allowed them to marry into money. The practice possibly originated among upper class court dancers during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period in 10th-century China, then gradually became popular among the elite during the Song dynasty . Ancient China for Kids. So, foot binding started with the royal court and then spread throughout China, beginning in the south of the country and soon reaching the north. Whenever it started, it was a barbaric practice. Footbinding was banned in 1912, but some women continued to do it in secret. FOOT BINDING IN CHINA. At that age, bones are still composed of pre-bone cartilage and were easier to break and mold. For almost a millennium, the practice of foot binding was prevalent across Chinese society, starting with the wealthier classes but over the years … A foot binding ceremony was usually performed on girls between the ages of 4 and 6. But despite … Foot binding was important among the people in China for it was used to show the beauty of Chinese culture as well as to show the high class of the people. Young girls, between the age of 5-7, had their toes tucked under their feet, and then had their feet wrapped in long pieces of cloth to hold their toes in place. Some of the last survivors are still living in a village in Southern China. It required breaking the arch of the feet, and tying up the feet, causing them to curl up into stumps regarded as beautiful and sexually exciting to men. Other stories say foot binding began during Tang times. Footbinding was banned in 1912, but some women continued to do it in secret. Foot Binding. Foot binding was the Chinese custom of applying tight wrappings to the feet of young girls to modify their shape and size. Painful Memories for China's Footbinding Survivors. By … This usually left women unable to walk properly and was extremely painful. 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