Feet and their highly interesting history...


... in evolution - the development from quadrupeds to bipeds
When the first human-like creature stood up from its four feet 50 million years ago, the feet, which were originally designed to carry a quarter of the body's weight, had to adapt to double the load. The thumb-like big toe was moved into line with the other toes and the heel lowered to the ground to share the load of the body. The foot, by the way, is the only part of the body where there is such an extremely high concentration of joints: more than 50 articulations on both feet allow for the extraordinary mobility of the human body.

... in cultural history - the achilles heel
According to tradition, his mother Achilles dived into the river Styx to make him invulnerable, holding him by one heel. This tiny part of his body, which was not wetted by the water, eventually killed him. The term "Achilles' heel" is still used today to describe weak points.

... in mythology - the roman-greek foot
Another mythical legend tells of the Greek foot. it goes back to the goddesses, whose second toes were longer. This was considered a sign of male strength, high spiritual level and extremely sensual eroticism. The virgin goddesses were therefore always depicted with covered feet, because feet were considered to be particularly intimate parts of the body.

... In the world's religions - feet and sacred ground
The Asian custom of kissing feet was considered a gesture of submission to higher-ups. Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims still take off their shoes at the threshold of sacred places and at home. This is also mentioned in the Bible, when God says to Moses: "take off your shoes, for the place on which you are standing is holy land".

... in China - the foot as the ideal of beauty
In Chinese culture, the female foot was considered very erotic. To make the feet the most attractive part of the body and to give them the most delicate shape possible, they were bound. As a result, the bones could not develop normally and atrophied. Fortunately, this painful, nonsensical tradition is now a thing of the past.

... in today's time
our erotic ideas today focus more on shoes than on feet. Many women still bow to fashion dictates and squeeze themselves into highly elegant, but mostly uncomfortable, high-heeled shoes. In the long run, not only do their feet become deformed, but their knees and spine are also affected. For many women, normal movement becomes a torture. Under the pretty wrapping, blisters and pressure marks hurt.     

The feet: expression of the life principle of movement and individuality
 "if you love me, let me go".

Just as the hands can be seen as an instrument and symbol of human creativity, the feet symbolise man's desire to move, to progress, and his ability to evolve or adapt.

We move through life with our feet.
We take our first steps and stand on our own two feet, becoming independent. Some people walk confidently and have a firm step.
We live on our feet, walk in step and throw ourselves at someone else's feet.
We can put our foot on the neck of others or stand under the slipper.
Sometimes we step on the spot or have to take small steps, we only move forward step by step.
We say: that's a big step forward... Progress and regression determine our life and thinking.
Maybe sometimes we get out of step, but then we get back on our feet...
In short: people go through life.

All these sayings point to the capacity for development and change in human nature. The way in which he masters his life, how he meets the challenges of his life and how he shapes his life is described through his feet.
Even if a person carries his head among the clouds and has lofty plans, his feet are his contact with the earth and connect him with the earth's energy. A person with good contact to the ground is not so easily shaken. He does not take off, is grounded, stable. He can withstand some external influences - like a tree with strong roots that does not need to fear a storm....

To act on one's own responsibility - to stand on one's own two feet - and to be able to shape one's own life is evidence of a high level of individuality and maturity. Our feet carry us all the way through life and their individual shape, state of care and pain behaviour tell us about the degree of maturity we have reached and the corresponding state of health of the whole person.

By massaging the feet, we can set something in motion in the entire body and in our feelings, because the feet are, as it were, the gateway to the human being. He also walks through the same gate to conquer the world refreshed.


For more interesting aspects, philosophical considerations and practical insights on the topic, see:
foot washing - tradition