Changes

The practice is said to have originated in the imitation of the small-footed [[concubine]] Yao Niang of [[Song Dynasty]] prince Li Yu. Its adoption as a fashion by tens of millions of Chinese women over several centuries, probably represents the most widespread fetish in human history. [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=8966942]

The practice is said to have originated in the imitation of the small-footed [[concubine]] Yao Niang of [[Song Dynasty]] prince Li Yu. Its adoption as a fashion by tens of millions of Chinese women over several centuries, probably represents the most widespread fetish in human history. [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=8966942]

Footbinding was a practice that originated to prevent women from running away from an oppressive home-life and give husbands greater control over their wives. Over time, foot-binding developed into a traditional mark of beauty, and the unbound foot became a social [[stigma]]--the sign of a peasant woman who was needed to work the fields.  

Footbinding was a practice that originated to prevent women from running away from an oppressive home-life and give husbands greater control over their wives. Over time, foot-binding developed into a traditional mark of beauty, and the unbound foot became a social [[stigma]]—the sign of a peasant woman who was needed to work the fields.  

Following the 1911 revolution of [[Sun Yixian|Sun Yat-Sen]], the practice died out in all but remote rural areas, and only a small number of women with bound feet survive today.

Following the 1911 revolution of [[Sun Yixian|Sun Yat-Sen]], the practice died out in all but remote rural areas, and only a small number of women with bound feet survive today.

[[Category:China]]

[[Category:China]]