Woman’s Passions

At one time, using a fan stated your place in society. The earliest pictures of fans are found in China from 3000 BC but their use was constricted by rules of etiquette and ceremony. From 1558 to 1603, men and women practiced a secret language of speaking with a fan

At one time, using a fan stated your place in society. The earliest pictures of fans are found in China from 3000 BC but their use was constricted by rules of etiquette and ceremony. From 1558 to 1603, men and women practiced a secret language of speaking with a fan. A carefully devised alphabet of letters made spelling out a clandestine meeting possible. The number of fan blades would suggest the time of the meeting. In the 18th century, Europeans still favored fans and loved everything symbolic. A fan was the most essential accessory in a prominent woman’s wardrobe. The most popular fan of the day was the folding fan after the Asian styles. The sticks were elaborately carved of ivory, wood, mother of pearl and shells, and the leaves themselves were vellum paper. Women’s fans had lace and ribbon, but men’s fans were decorated with outdoor bucolic scenes or insects, religious pictures or the pictures of saints were also popular on the fans of the day. By the time Queen Victoria ruled Britain in the 19th century, fans were still popular for women, but the Queen did not like men waving fans. It was the Japanese that are credited with the true art form and language of fans, and it is thought that the folding of the fan was to replicate the wings of a bat. You said a lot about yourself when you used this type of fan. Many Asian fans are silk with stories painted on the side. Some of them include village life and marrying the landowner’s daughter, Buddha in heaven, a long history of fishing for livelihood, lucky symbols of wealth and longevity such as the crane, farmers harvesting rice, pagodas and of course the dragon.

The secret language of fans was made up of many gestures and movements. Many of the gestures depict life-changing events.

I used a hand fan in church as a child when we didn’t have air conditioning. Mine was not the folding style, but one that you would just wave. Now, hand fans are about any shape, design and material you can imagine. They can have political sayings and words on them, or they can literally have a picture of someone on them as well. We haven’t used hand fans as much here in the West, maybe because every home and office has air conditioning. We like having our hands free to multi task and it’s a little tough to do that and stay cool at the same time. But this ancient symbolic trend is coming back into popularity. There is something somewhat mysterious about using a hand fan. I think of shy women using a fan to hide their faces. We are more curious about what is hidden or things that seem to be forbidden. Using a hand fan can be just a form of eccentricity. The designer Karl Lagerfeld is always photographed with a fan. These art forms of the past should be used whenever possible or simply mount them on a stand and admire their unique delicate artwork. Red fans bring wealth and fortune in Feng Shui. Place them in a room you wish to bring you luck.

Hand fans are very delicate but sturdy enough to use on an every day basis. Treat them with care and they will last for a long time. Some tips for taking care of the folding fan include open and close them slowly as most will snap open or closed with only a slight gesture. If you apply too much strength, you can damage the fan. Take care when you put them in your purse or briefcase. They can easily damage if punctured by a pen or break if you have then in your pocket. Be careful not to put anything too heavy over them such as a camera. Some folding fans come with their own container for protection. Never let the fan get wet, and keep out of heat and humidity. If you have vintage fans on display, treat them as you would other pieces of art. Don’t let the elements damage them as they as very susceptible to heat, humidity and sunlight. The most popular hand fans you will find today include:

??? Hand-painted silk fans that do not fold are very traditional. They are plain or intricately painted
??? Fans made of cloth and folded precisely. These can be used for party favors
??? Wooden fans from bamboo are hand crafted to look like lace. They are great for bridal parties and come with stands if you just want to display them. A fan of sandalwood has a slight scent of the essential oil of sandalwood when you wave it.
??? A bride may choose a lace fan as part of her dress design. It would be mostly decorative and a souvenir of the day. This is a popular custom in Asia
??? Pocket fans are small enough to fold up and put in your purse of briefcase. They come in colors and patterns or for Halloween and Valentines Day.
??? Red is the color of China, so try a red paper fan for a pop of color
??? Feather - very elegant and they come in different colors. Do you remember the fan dances of burlesque?
??? You can create your own design on a white paper fan. Try stenciling or just paint if whatever you wish
??? Gold and silver foil that is embossed with a design are lovely for a fancy occasion
??? Use a red white and blue fan on the Fourth of July.
Use them, love them and enjoy the ancient art form that is still flourishing today.

Beverly Hlavka is a publisher online and entrepreneur. She offers decorating suggestions regarding ceiling fans, and provides common sense advice for ways to stay cool using a portable air conditioner. Her articles are helpful for improving air quality through air filters and being more comfortable using a dehumidifier. Her information is about the best products for the body and home.
Beverly Hlavka is a successful author and online publisher. She has researched and published a variety of topics. If you are interested, contact her at articles@portable-air-conditioner-4u.com to discuss professional articles written for your website.