The ancient ritual of foot binding is the focus of American novelist Lisa See’s Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. The novel revolves around the central character who’s also the narrator, Lily, and her laotong (老同 Old Same), Snow Flower.
“A laotong match is as significant as a good marriage,” Lily’s aunt explained. “A laotong relationship is made by choice for the purpose of emotional companionship and eternal fidelity. A marriage is not made by choice and has only one purpose ? to have sons.”
Set in 19th century China, the two girls are bound together for life from the day they have their feet bound at age seven. They are taught the ancient women’s writing called nushu (女术), and this is their only way of written communication. They inscribe their messages on a fan and this fan becomes a journal of their lives as they each embark on their own paths when they of marriagable age.
See brings her readers into the inner realm of women and the horrific ritual of foot binding where the bones of young girls’ feet are crushed to make them resemble lily flowers. Ancient marriage rituals are also brought alive in this book and the lowly status of women in that time period is starkly obvious in the picture that See paints.
The novel provides a fascinating insight into the rituals that govern foot binding, marriage, and the status of women in 19th century China. It is available at the National Library.