Chinese foot binding is a historical and brutal practice that was mostly carried out in rural China. The practice involved the tight binding of the feet of young girls to stop them growing. This lead to broken bones and very deformed and painful feet. The feet would then fit into dainty and well decorated Lotus shoes.
This was done as a smaller foot was considered more desirable and erotic in the culture at that time. A greater price or dowry could be demanded for brides that had smaller feet before they married.
The practice was barbaric is now outlawed.
