Final answer:
During foot binding, the foot had to be broken several times over the course of 5-6 years to achieve the desired shape.
Step-by-step explanation:
During foot binding, the procedure of breaking the foot several times usually took several years to complete. It involved breaking and binding the bones of the foot to achieve the desired shape. The process was started at a young age, usually around 5-6 years old, and continued until the desired shape was achieved.
The reason this process begins at such a young age is because a child's feet are made of cartilage that is still in its developmental stages, making it easier to break and shape into the desired shape called the “Golden Lotus”, something that can only be achieved through foot binding.
The process would begin with the girl's mother or another older woman in the family, such as her grandmother, cutting the girl's toenails and then soaking her feet in hot water or a special concoction consisting of various ingredients. nuts to herbs. This is done so that the leg tissues and bones soften, making manipulation easier.
After soaking, the feet are then massaged and doused with alum – a chemical used to dye fabric and also tighten the skin. The process will begin during the winter months so that the cold can relieve the pain experienced.