China Men | Objects, Setting & Important Places

China Men Objects/Places

Foot Binding

Foot binding was the Chinese custom of wrapping young girls' feet in tight bandages so the feet would not grow normally. The process included the deliberate breaking and forcible relocation of the four small toes and the disruption of the foot's normal arch. The resultant adult foot was dysfunctional, often as small as three inches, but was considered to be a greatly desirable trait for women. Foot binding resulted in the basic inability of the individual to walk and was accomplished only at the cost of incredible pain and frequent health complications. The popularity of the custom varied through time but it was widespread for hundreds of years until it was officially declared illegal in 1911.

Imperial Examination

j?rén, or provincial-level examination, administered once every three years - his average score did not qualify his for an important role in government; he was assigned to be a school teacher in his home town. The Imperial Examination process was officially abandoned in 1905.

Gold Mountain

Gold Mountain is the Chinese colloquial name for America - the land of free money and an easy life. In a broad sense Gold Mountain included Canada, Cuba, and other areas where wealth could...
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