Timeless Appeal of Slender Waist
The traditional Chinese theory of beauty says that a slender waist and a small waist-to-hip ratio are vital for feminine beauty. The "belle curve" showcases the softness and tenderness of women, fitting in with the aesthetic tastes of Chinese. .
In ancient China a girl with an hourglass-shaped waist made for the perfect figure. Many ancient poems and legends have linked attractiveness with a thin waist. A legend dating to more than 2,000 year ago says that the King of Chu States lusted for narrow waists, leading to starving palace ladies. The Chu Waist was hence added into the vocabulary referring to a slender waist.
An Oriental Sexy Idol
What made a sexy idol for the ancient Chinese? Firm, uplifted buttocks and big breasts may not be the best answer. Instead, the Chinese thought the sexiest part of a woman was her eyebrows which, as mentioned before, were the coverts of her feelings, leading to its name "Rainbows of Affection." A protruding collarbone and a long, elegant neck were also the focus of secondary erogenous zones in China.
Science of Romance
In fact, beauty was not only a matter of physical appearance, but more importantly, as the painting had indicated, was a demand of feudal etiquettes, to be exact, the three obedience and four virtues."
Women's appearance, along with their impeccable morality, proper speech, and diligent housework, were compulsory criteria of good women. In addition, a woman should be obedient to her father before marriage, to her husband after marriage and to her son after her husband's death.
Email to Friends
Print
Save