Chinese Footbinding (ep. 13.4)

The origins of footbinding are lost in time, but I think it is safe to say that the first woman to do it could not possibly have imagined what was coming. This episode covers the earliest evidence (in the 1100s) through to the final demise of the practice in 1957. The historical records are heavy on hormone-inspired odes to beauty. They are relatively light on the actual lived experiences of hundreds of millions of women, but to the extent that I can, I talk about how it was done and why it was done, and finally why it finally stopped. Visit the ⁠website⁠ (herhalfofhistory.com) for sources, transcripts, and pictures. This show survives on the support of listeners like you. Support the show on my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/user?u=83998235⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and polls. Or make a one-time donation on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me a Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Your support helps me keep bring the stories of past women into the present. Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Into History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (intohistory.com/herhalfofhistory/) for a community of ad-free history podcasts plus bonus content. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Evergreen Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to listen to more great shows. Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ as Her Half of History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices