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Why Were Bound Feet Considered A Symbol Of Beauty?

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Why Were Bound Feet Considered A Symbol Of Beauty?
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So why were bound feet considered a symbol of beauty? The answer to this question can be traced back to the 10th century during what is known as the period of the five dynasties. It is said that the ruler li Yu of the southern Tang Dynasty saw very tiny feet on a palace concubine Yuan Yang, who was a superb dancer. The emperor demanded that Yuan Yang wrap her feet in cloth to make them smaller to look like the moon at Christmas. He further made the concubine dance on a specially made lotus stage. The spectacle so seduced the emperor, that the royal obsession escalated into a craze and spread through the imperial realm, becoming more extreme and inspiring art and literature. From the 11th century onward, foot binding had become

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