What Everybody Ought To Know About Shoe Traditions
For a very long time the footwear is considered to be the symbol of welfare. Aristocrats of the 19th century carried soft brocade shoes while their servants used rough wooden boots. The sandals of the Roman empresses with gold soles, shoes with red heels which were carried at the court of Louis XIV, and modern shoes from Gucci– all of this is a visiting card of different centuries showing welfare and social status of their owners.
From everlasting people connected a large quantity of superstitious beliefs with the footwear. In many countries, the ancient traditions and customs connected with footwear are followed till now.
For example, in China children’s footwear was often decorated with images of predatory, furious animals. It was considered that the animal should protect the child from evil spirits.
According to another Chinese tradition, it was necessary to throw bride’s red shoes on the roof of the house in the first wedding night as a symbol of love and harmony.
Under American ancient tradition, in the soles of children’s footwear parents made holes so that evil spirits could go away through them.
In the Indian tribe of Zuni, a pair of wedding shoes for a bride had to make a groom.
When the king died, the people of Ashanti (Western Africa) painted their sandals in black.
Japanese Samurais carried footwear made of bear fur and believed piously that the force of the animal can be transferred to the owner of the shoes.
The footwear has a great importance in the history. It helps to learn the traditions of our predecessor and their lifestyle. It is like a book that can tell us a lot of interesting, unbelievable and fascinating facts.
