Lotus footwear is among the oldest kinds of footwear recorded that were specifically designed for women's use. Now, the production of these shoes these days is virtually non-existent and the small number of lotus shoes still around have become conserved in museums and galleries or private collections similar to antique items and artifacts. Whilst these shoes were manufactured for women of every age group, any single female today who is beyond the age of ten would most likely find it extremely hard to use this footwear. This is because this kind of footwear that came from ancient China and was designed for girls back when foot binding was still being practiced. For all those not familiar with the process, foot binding literally implies the tight binding of the feet with wraps. The importance of this kind of binding is such that it is only started on women as young as ages two and five.

The process of foot binding would in all probability be viewed as being a disabling action of pride as it required the act of intentionally breaking the mid-foot and toes of each foot prior to being wrapped up. Furthermore, this process was completed without any type of pain alleviation. The purpose of this practice was so that people at that time thought that narrow and little feet were regarded as attractive along with making the person's motions more womanly. Numerous misguided beliefs revolve around the origin with the process of foot binding and the Lotus footwear. One of the more popular of these misconceptions was around the Tenth Century time period, when Prince Li Yu that ruled over the 10 kingdoms. Li Yu had a concubine in his entourage that had very tiny feet and she was an excellent dancer who wore among the oldest versons of the Lotus footwear.

This foot binding practice then started among the females of higher society and royals so that they can mimic his concubine. As a result, foot binding had been clearly linked with prosperity and standing during that period. The subsequent centuries found to the widespread use of the practice around China. The process grew to become to ensure that girls that didn't have small feet ended up not really marriage material. At the time, this was the most unfortunate probable destiny for a Chinese woman. The painful procedure aside however, the Lotus footwear is actually a sight to behold and the modern world would possibly be taken back because of the extensive injuries this process inflicts on the feet. Obviously, once the foot binding began to be used by everybody, versions came along. The procedure was eventually prohibited.

Originally, this delicately constructed footwear were made with cotton as well as silk materials even though there is proof of variations crafted using other materials for example animal skins. Some other versions often had distinctive characteristics such as heels and even bottoms that appear like those of the current wedge footwear. However, essentially the most distinct feature of the lotus footwear are the elaborate designs and patterns present in all of them. In addition to that, a large number of these shoes were embroidered with ornate designs featuring animal and floral designs in conjunction with patterns. This is particularly if you consider the rare and expensive shoes made from the best materials that embellished the feet of people in positions of power.