The tradition, once revered, now banned, will be lost with these women. Photographer Jo Farrell is documenting their lives, and their feet. WARNING: Graphic images.
British photographer Jo Farrell is documenting a tradition that is dying out with China’s oldest women: foot binding.
Su Xi Rong's feet.
Jo Farrell
The process of binding feet (also known as "lotus feet") started before the arch had a chance to fully-develop – somewhere between the ages of 4 and 9.
After soaking in warm herbs and animal blood, the toes would be curled over to the sole of the foot and bound with cotton bandages.
Yang Jinge's feet.
Jo Farrell
The toes and arch would be broken with force. Unbound. Rebound. Rebound tighter. And repeat.
It was considered better to get someone who wasn't your mum to do it: they were less likely to bind them sympathetically loose.
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