Legend has it that footbinding began in the 10th century when a Southern Song emperor fell in love with a dancer's tiny feet, which resembled a pointed lotus bud. She was quickly promoted to be his most cherished concubine and resided in the royal court. Out of envy royal concubines and courtesans desired small feet too, hence the origins of footbinding. This custom popular in royal families continued into the early twentieth century.

Footbinding was the first step to becoming a bride, a coming of age and rite of passage. A woman's tiny feet was her key to the future, not her looks or personality. Bound feet represented honor, status, fashion, beauty and duty. When arranged marriages were in the matchmaking process potential bride's feet were inspected, as was her trousseau of handmade shoes displaying her textile skills. Chinese girls often began sewing lavish shoes for this occasion several years prior to wedding age. Sewing and embroidery was the only creative and artistic venue girls had. They poured their hearts and souls into making elaborate lotus shoes, known in Chinese as "gong xie".

Many shoes told stories with intricate symbols (fish, bats, butterflies, children, ducks, coins) reflecting private wishes, hopes and dreams of a better life. The most popular symbol, embroidered lotus flowers, symbolized fertility and harmony.

For 1,000 years women tottered and shuffled with great dignity and pride. At about three years old, a girls toes were broken, and the feet were tightly bound in strips of cloth and delicately embroidered silk shoes to keep them from growing larger than 10 cm in length. Lotus shoes were never removed, not even at bedtime. An interesting fact not widely known is bound feet were rarely 3-4 inches. This was just the illusion created as elegant pointed shoes emerged from gorgeous leggings worn to cover up the bulky heel and ankle.

In 1902 Empress Dowager Ci Xi banned this custom, however, footbinding continued well into the 20th century. This ancient practice was officially abolished in 1949 by Mao Ze Dong.