“The memories of the agony you felt during your footbinding will never leave completely. There will be days from now until you die when the anguish will visit.”

This early advice offered by Yunxian’s mother establishes that pain and discomfort characterize female existence in their culture. Footbinding becomes a metaphor for the sufferings of being a woman as well as a symbol of The Subordinate Status of Women. The scene of female instruction also sets up the themes of female mentorship, friendship, and companionship that continue throughout the novel.

“It’s important for women—and girls—to find friendship and steadfastness where they can.”

Miss Zhao gives Yunxian this valuable counsel that introduces the novel’s chief theme of The Power of Women’s Alliances. In a culture that does not value women or respect female labor, Miss Zhao suggests that women must look out for one another as a survival mechanism, which proves to be the case.

“It means that goodness can grow from difficulties. Adversity can sprout into triumph.”

The saying “no mud, no lotus,” explained in this way, becomes a catchphrase between Yunxian and Meiling, an encouragement they give one another at several points in their lifelong relationship. The theme of turning adversity to triumph coheres with the value that is placed on female alliances, as females have small social value in this culture.