Trace of Pain

I delved into the distorted aesthetics shaped by the male gaze and the emergence of female awareness. In ancient China, the practice of foot binding reduced women’s feet to a mere three inches, hailed as the "three-inch golden lotus." This painful tradition, beginning in childhood, led to a lifelong deformation. Men, particularly poets, romanticized this practice, equating the allure of these bound feet to the possession of exquisite jewels, admiring the constrained steps as a form of beauty.

In bygone eras of Europe, women were compelled to wear corsets for extended periods. Despite the discomfort and breathing difficulties caused by these restrictive garments, a slender waist and elevated bust were deemed the epitome of feminine beauty.

In both Eastern and Western cultures, women who defied these constrictive norms were often stigmatized, labeled as aberrant or immoral. Such resistance was seldom met with approval from men.

These historical practices underscore the pervasive control exerted over female bodies, highlighting the need for a reevaluation of beauty standards, free from oppressive expectations.