X-ray of bound feet, China, between 1890 and 1923. Foot binding was the custom of binding the feet of young girls painfully tight to prevent further growth. The tiny narrow feet were considered beautiful and to make a woman's movements more feminine and dainty. Although reformers challenged the practice, it was not until the early 20th century that foot binding began dying out. Foot-binding resulted in lifelong disabilities for most of its subjects, and some elderly Chinese women still survive today with disabilities related to their bound feet.