Why did imperial concubines in ancient China need someone to support them when walking?
Perhaps you have ever wondered why concubines in ancient China needed someone to support them when walking. Behind this action, there are actually many interesting reasons.
In recent times, with the popularity of palace drama films about the Qing dynasty, many viewers have made an effort to learn more about life in the last feudal dynasty of China.
When you observe carefully, you will realize that in the palace, concubines always need a servant to accompany them when walking. Does this have anything to do with them receiving special love from the emperor?
In fact, the reason is not that. This action stems from the fact that concubines must adhere to a strict regulation on rest hours, even after being favored by the emperor. The purpose of this is to protect the health of the emperor and maintain the balance of life in the palace.
In ancient Chinese history, class distinctions were often clearly expressed. The need to have a servant when concubines go out is a way to show their social status.
Most importantly, this action only occurs when concubines leave the palace, while in regular situations, no one does that. This highlights the difference in rituals and social status. As a noble concubine in the palace, even walking requires someone to support them.
Another reason is that in the feudal period of China, noble women often had bound feet, making movement inconvenient and prone to falling. Therefore, whenever the concubines leave the palace, they need a servant to assist in walking.
Furthermore, due to the small bound feet, concubines could not perform heavy work and move a lot. Noble concubines when entering the palace are often limited to never leave the Forbidden City for their whole life. When they need to go out, they will have eunuchs or palace maids to accompany and assist them.
In the ancient aesthetic philosophy of China, small feet are considered a symbol of beauty. This belief makes many concubines not want to move to protect their small feet.
Moreover, once entering the palace, concubines do not have the freedom to move like commoners. When they go out of the palace, they always have an entourage accompanying them. Palace maids and eunuchs will support the concubines to show their nobility and honor their position.
Another important point to emphasize is that the shoes of concubines in ancient China’s history are different from modern shoes. Nowadays, even with high heels, their design still allows women to walk without assistance.
However, in the Qing dynasty, the shoes of concubines called “lotus shoes” had a heel in the middle. This type of shoe is quite difficult to maintain balance, even when walking, it can lead to falling. Therefore, when wearing lotus shoes, concubines always need someone to support their balance.
In addition to the main mentioned reasons, there are some additional documents explaining why concubines in the palace always need someone to support them. Another important reason is that in the palace, rules and ceremonies play an important role in distinguishing nobility and commoners.
The palace has many regulations on behavior and movement style, contributing to creating exquisite and elegant beauty. The movement of women in the palace, always accompanied by a maid, creates a feeling of pity for the emperor. Because the emperor loves the weak and beautiful, women in the palace are required to move according to such ritual rules.
Silence rule forces Qing dynasty concubines to keep quiet during intimate activities
During the Qing Dynasty, imperial consorts were expected to maintain silence and refrain from making any noise while being attended to by the emperor.
Unspoken rule stops Qing dynasty concubines from making noise during intimate moments
During the rule of the Qing Dynasty, concubines were required to maintain absolute silence during their encounters with the emperor. They were forbidden from making any sound at all.
Unspoken rules that forced Qing dynasty concubines to stay silent while being inspected by the emperor
When in the presence of the emperor, all concubines must maintain silence. This is a mandatory rule, and no one is allowed to disobey.
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