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Earthbound

The flower that blooms in adversity 
is the most rare and beautiful of all

— Mulan

EARTHBOUND

a miniature rose
beauty in beholder’s eyes —
golden lotus springs

3/5/2021

From wikipedia: There are a number of stories about the origin of foot binding before its establishment during the Song dynasty. One of these involves the story of Pan Yunu, a favourite consort of the Southern Qi Emperor Xiao Baojuan. In the story, Pan Yunu, renowned for having delicate feet, performed a dance barefoot on a floor decorated with the design of a golden lotus, after which the Emperor, expressing admiration, said that "lotus springs from her every step!" (????), a reference to the Buddhist legend of Padmavati, under whose feet lotus springs forth. This story may have given rise to the terms "golden lotus" or "lotus feet" used to describe bound feet; there is, however, no evidence that Consort Pan ever bound her feet.[3]

Copyright © Kim Rodrigues | Year Posted 2021

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Caren Krutsinger Date: 3/9/2021 10:00:00 AM This is so beautifully done; have you seen the cartoon MULAN? It is my FAVORITE Disney movie! Login to Reply Kim Rodrigues Date: 3/9/2021 1:44:00 PM Yes! Loved it and it didn’t hurt that Donny Osmond inhabited one of the characters. Thank you, Caren!

David Kavanagh Date: 3/9/2021 2:39:00 AM Heya Kim foot binding along with Suttee customs seem so alien to us nowadays, mankind is certainly a very peculiar race, I enjoyed your haiku, the aesthetics is another story, cheers David Login to Reply Kim Rodrigues Date: 3/9/2021 1:45:00 PM An awful thing to hurt people in order to give them a beauty that they take pleasure in. I can’t even imagine.

Linda Alice Fowler Date: 3/8/2021 7:29:00 AM Such a painful custom, and long process. I saw a documentary of sorts about foot binding when I was in university. Makes me cringe whenever I think of it. Terrific haiku Kim. :) Linda Login to Reply Kim Rodrigues Date: 3/9/2021 1:46:00 PM I saw the images on line as I wrote this! How awful! Feet should not look like that!

Jennifer Proxenos Date: 3/7/2021 7:49:00 AM Love your Haiku and the Japanese explanation of Pan Yunu and how she danced bare foot - was it because of this that she was doomed to bind her feet although no evidence that proves this theory? Hugs and blessings, Jennifer Login to Reply Kim Rodrigues Date: 3/7/2021 9:38:00 AM Thank you! xxoo

Gershon Wolf Date: 3/6/2021 8:35:00 PM I remember being introduced to this practice when I read 'The Good Earth,' by Pearl Buck. Fascinating to read about how men were turned on by those dainty, delicate feet, like petals of the lotus. Lovely write, Kim! ~ gw Login to Reply Kim Rodrigues Date: 3/7/2021 9:39:00 AM The women suffered to provide such entertainment. Some women do it of their own accord, stuffing their feet into stilettos;)

Michelle Faulkner Date: 3/6/2021 10:59:00 AM I have heard of the practice, but even without the reference I adore this dainty haiku, esp the 'miniature rose' - let's hope we have a golden lotus spring :) Login to Reply Kim Rodrigues Date: 3/6/2021 2:30:00 PM Thank you! We all want to let Spring fully in!

Victor Buhagiar Date: 3/6/2021 8:40:00 AM Very instructive. Login to Reply Kim Rodrigues Date: 3/6/2021 2:30:00 PM Thanks, Victor! Painful!

Vijay Pandit Date: 3/6/2021 8:07:00 AM Certainly the lotus blooms through adversity and rises with its splendor. Beautiful image to treasure, Kim, especially when I read the context in your footnote. Login to Reply Kim Rodrigues Date: 3/6/2021 2:30:00 PM Thank you, Vijay!