Red string, in today’s China, is mostly worn by women on their feet and wrists. Firstly, it is for decoration, and secondly, it is to ward off evil spirits. Girls with red strings on their wrists really add color to themselves. To ward off evil spirits, Chinese people believe that red is a symbol of happiness and the color that suppresses all demons. Another reason is that some people wear red strings in their zodiac year in some places. Generally speaking, red headband, red belt and red underwear are the standard accessories for the year of birth.
Unlike contemporary Chinese people, sexual liberation is on the rise, and trial love before marriage is also relatively accepted by the public. People in the Republic of China and before were generally more traditional. Women did not even expose their feet, and did not let other men see them. Times have changed, ideas have changed, and trends have changed.
In ancient times, women in brothels were engaged in the business of selling sex. Even so, the nature of the work itself has not erased their sense of shame, and they still feel that the work they are doing is not elegant. They tie a red string around their ankles or waists in order to preserve the last bit of their dignity, and they will not take it off when accompanying guests. They deceive themselves like "I am not naked, I still have some clothing." However, This is a kind of helplessness. If family life continues, who would be willing to enter this job where a pair of jade arms are used as pillows for thousands of people, and the slightest bit of red lips are tasted by thousands of people?
Red is a festive color. People wear red during red events, which is particularly festive. Of course it is also the color that suppresses evil spirits. For example, the ancestors gave red envelopes to younger generations during the New Year to scare the monster called Nian. Therefore, to a certain extent, the ancient brothel women wearing a red string around their waists also gave themselves inner comfort to suppress evil spirits.
This is mainly used to make a distinction. Those with red strings are prostitutes, and those without red strings are prostitutes! Then the different places where prostitutes tie the red string have different meanings.
In ancient times, prostitutes and prostitutes were actually different. Prostitutes had more talents. They usually only appeared in high-end places such as brothels and Yihongyuan, and entertained guests by singing and dancing. So prostitution is actually done by people with status! Although they have the intention of making love between men and women, they do not have a direct relationship; while prostitutes are sex workers, they are simply sex workers.
The places where prostitutes wear red strings have different meanings. People who wear red strings on their hands and feet are often virgins who keep their virginity. They come in and out of prostitutes because of various unavoidable circumstances. People who wear red strings on their hands often have different meanings. It means that the heart is attached to the world of mortals, which means that one wants to redeem one's life. If a merchant falls in love with them and they are willing to follow the merchant, the merchant can pay to redeem them. For example, Cao Cao's concubine Madam Bian was born as a geisha. At that time, Madam Bian was bullied by an evil young man. Cao Cao stepped forward to save the beauty, killed the evil young man and married Madam Bian home (Xia Houyuan went to cover for him).
The people with red strings around their waists were married women who were prostitutes (married). Some people at that time had identity problems. They were often sold into brothels after their homes were ransacked, and some were also sold to brothels. Sold by husband (gambler) or in-laws. These people are not virgins, but they are unwilling to become prostitutes. People like them can have sex with them, but only if they are willing, otherwise they will be beaten out by the brothel security guards.
Some foreign high-end service venues still have this type of distinction, but the way of distinction has its own rules, such as wearing rings on the hand, etc.