This just in from the Taoist side of the family in response to this ole post on sneaks.
Hehe, I’ve been loving this site, Rev. PB, and felt the need to reply to this one.
I’m a novice priestess in a small but historic Daoist denomination. Typically one wears the traditional Chinese black mary-jane “cloth shoes” which are casual-to-nice for persons of any persuasion, in ritual or day wear. These, or Buddhist-style sandals, are the usual for many Daoist clergy. (Though technically “ten-direction shoes” are formal for Daoist clergy, they’re rather hard to find or make.) Black cloth shoes are modest and dignified.
But more and more Daoist priests may be seen wearing bright white sneakers under vestments. Truly and glaringly hideous. Imagine traditional “high church” Roman Catholic or Greek Orthodox robes combined with Adidas and you get the drift. It’s one thing to wear such during private rituals when laity aren’t present. But to think that footwear doesn’t matter, ironically may end up actively calling atention to one’s feet during public services. It ends up being very immodest.
Footwear have ritual import, same as any other ritual tool. It makes one look down (to Earth) when one ought look up (to Heaven.) I can’t imagine the ritual aesthetics for Christians would differ that much on this score(?).
Geez, I’m tellin’ ya! Those cloth Mary Janes are about as comfortable as you can get without wearing bedroom slippers! Granted, they don’t have much support but I imagine one could fairly easily find a black shoe with some support without resorting to the BLINDINGLY WHITE athletic shoe!
Sneakers are definitely not The Way to anything good.
*Badda-bing!* Thank you! I’m here all week!
technically “ten-direction shoes” are formal for Daoist clergy, they’re rather hard to find or make.
Meaning that the shoes that can be found are not the true shoes?
Hello Dear Rev. PB!
Yes, cloth-shoes are very comfy and sensible (and inexpensive)! Those with pleated-cotton-soles wear out very quickly, but there are rubber soled ones too. The latter’s durable, but it doesn’t have that moccasin-thin immediacy with the Earth like total cloth soles.
Here is some pics for those with any interest:
regular cloth-shoes 布鞋
http://www.chishoes.com/shop/gallery.php?id=11&img=78
ten-direction-shoes 十方鞋
http://www.chishoes.com/shop/goods.php?id=14
We also have fancy embroidered shoes for big rituals, but I’ve never even seen my master wear such.
I don’t know why we wear ten-direction-shoes, or why they have the white cut outs. The name implies that they help one walk to the ten directions, obviously (compass points and up-down). But if you wonder why Daoist priests/priestesses always show off those cute boot-socks and tuck our pants in to them, I was told it’s to remind us/symbolize to walk in Purity.
This is a delightful site. Understanding and comparing different religions’ aesthetics in garb can be quite illuminating. Clothes say things; they are an underestimated witness! Like words, they are fish-traps for our meanings. Wearing clericals or habits offer an opportunity for clergy to put their selves on a shelf and offer their body for Heaven and Earth, perhaps in any faith. As such, your ongoing discussions on how you impact your congregations as Christ’s servants through such embodied dramaturgy are a worthy document in ministerial education. I especially enjoy the discussions on cultural appropriation and the colour meanings between different denominations (stoles/collars etc.). Thanks for the education.
And thanks for your hospitality to Celestial Master Zhang Daoling (statue in picture) and myself! :>
Respectful Prayers for Peace in the Dao,
Shufei
Dear ogre,
>Meaning that the shoes that can be found are not the true shoes?
Haha, or maybe those that know how to get them are not speaking!
I had a very high church catholic wedding, and the priest wore the normal vestments plus sandals. The altar boys wore unlaced sneakers with their robes.