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'The Good Earth'
Oprah's Book Club  |  January 01, 2006
Footbinding Photo courtesy of Library of Congress


Footbinding seems to have emerged as a common practice during the Song dynasty, sometime in the 11th century. One legend tells of a concubine named Yao Niang, who wrapped her feet with ribbons and danced on her toes atop a lotus shaped platform for Prince Li Yu. He was smitten with her tiny feet, and a fashion trend was born.
Printed from Oprah.com on Tuesday, June 18, 2013
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