Foot-binding

The historical Chinese practice of binding the feet of female children with tight bandages to prevent them from growing, small feet being considered more attractive, and an indication of high class - as women with bound feet were incapable of most physical labour, or even of walking more than a few steps unassisted.

The practise is said to have originated in the imitation of the small-footed concubine Yao Niang of Sung 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.

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