Footbinding: A Jungian Engagement with Chinese Culture and Psychology

by Shirley See Yan Ma

Overview

In this book Shirley See Yan Ma provides a Jungian perspective on the Chinese tradition of footbinding and considers how it can be used as a metaphor for the suffering of women and the repression of the feminine, as well as a symbol for hope, creativity and spiritual transformation.

Drawing on personal history, popular myths, literature, and work with clients, Footbinding discusses how modern women still symbolically find their feet bound through this ancient practice. Detailed case studies from Western and Asian women demonstrate how Jungian analysis can loosen these psychological bindings allowing the client to reconnect with the feminine archetype, discover their own identity and take control of their own destiny.

This original book will be of great interest to Jungian analysts looking for a new perspective. It will also be of interest to anyone studying Chinese culture and psychology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415485067
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/30/2009
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Shirley See Yan Ma is a Jungian analyst in private practice in Hong Kong and Toronto, Canada. She teaches Analytical Psychology in various cities in Asia, North America and in Zurich, Switzerland. She is an Honorary Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Hong Kong and founder/director of Jung Centre Hong Kong.

Table of Contents

List of illustrations x

Preface xi

Foreword xiii

Acknowledgements xv

Chronology of mythical and historical dynasties in China xvii

Note xviii

1 First glimpse of the Golden Lotus 1

2 The Shang empress-fox and her feet 16

3 The Confucian Way 27

4 A Pearl of great price 41

5 Xi Wang Mu: the Queen Mother of the West 58

6 Yexian: the Chinese Cinderella 75

7 Chiu Chin: the beheaded martyr 92

8 Julia Ching: a journey from East to West and back again 106

9 Ruby and her new vision 119

10 Jade: unbinding and restoring her feet 133

11 Reflections on footbinding and the Golden Lotus 152

Bibliography 166

Index 173