The lotus shoe used by women with bound feet. The feet are called Golden Lotus, referred to as the “Three ‘thumb’ Golden Lotus” 三寸金莲 in Chinese. Three thumb lengths was considered the perfect size for the foot.
This was a practice that eluded to high status. It was a common practice during the Qing Dynasty period and women would begin the process at a very young age. The perfect sized foot would often lead to marriage opportunities into high status families. Only servants and peasant women would not bind their feet because it would inhibit their ability to work.
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A close up of the lotus shoe soles.
Close up of the embroidery on the toe of the lotus shoe.
