Concerning the origin of fans, two main theories circulate in popular tradition:
1. According to one version, in the early days of the universe, Fuxi and Nuwa, a mythological couple, used grass to make a fan to hide their faces for modesty. Therefore, the fan is also called “ Fuxi fan” (羲扇) in folklore.
2. Another theory is found in Cui Bao's “Gujin Zhu Yufu” (《古今注 舆服》) of the Western Jin Dynasty. This version claims that the fan was invented by the legendary Emperor Shun, and was mainly used by emperors and nobility to symbolize an attitude of openness to dialogue and welcoming talents.
Good morning (Good morning)
Bamboo fans
The earliest materials used to make fans included reed, feathers, and bamboo. At that time, a semi-circular fan called “bianmian” (便面) was predominant. It was made of thin bamboo strips and used by all classes, from emperors to servants, whether for fanning meat or cooking salt.
During the Han Dynasty, the craftsmanship of long-handled fans was perfected, reaching a remarkable level, as evidenced by the long-handled bamboo fan discovered in 1972 in the Mawangdui Tomb (Western Han period).
Yǔshàn
Feather fans
Feather fans were made from bird feathers such as those of geese, pheasants, cranes or peacocks.
The use of feathers for fans dates back to very ancient times, for two main reasons:
1. The feathers were easily accessible and gave the fan a practical and decorative appearance.
2. The ancients had a certain veneration for birds, as evidenced by the very structure of the Chinese character “扇” (fan), which refers to feathers.
Feather fans therefore have an ancient origin and remain a representative category today. In ancient times, they were prized by royalty and nobility, symbolizing rank, morality, and knowledge. They were particularly popular between the late Han and the Wei-Jin period. Long-handled fans, often carried by servants for nobles, also illustrated power and social status.
Hehuan Shan (Hehuan Shan)
Round fans
Also called “court fans” , “silk fans” or “round fans” , they are distinguished by their circular shape, evoking a full moon. Their frame was made of bamboo or wood, covered with fine silk. These symmetrical and refined fans have become an emblematic style of traditional Chinese craftsmanship.
Round fans came in a variety of shapes (round, oval, plum blossom or peony) and were often decorated with paintings or embroidery. Their flat, wide surface provided good ventilation while also serving as a canvas for artistic works.
Over the dynasties, round fans gained popularity from imperial courts to ordinary citizens. These fans then became essential objects in the daily life and leisure of women, especially in women's circles.
腰扇 (Yāo shàn)
Size Fans
Due to their large size, round fans were inconvenient to carry around. The ancients then adapted them into a more portable version: waist fans . These fans, also called “zhangri” (障日) , were used to protect oneself from the sun or light rain, thus fulfilling a function similar to that of an umbrella.
The principle was simple: the surface of the fan could be rolled up and tied to the waist with a rope. This ingenious fan was both practical and symbolic.
Xǐ shàn
Symbolic fans
For ancient women, fans were often used to hide or cover their faces, in accordance with the strict norms of feudal society. This use symbolized modesty and added a touch of mystery.
In folk culture, fans were also gifts laden with positive meanings, thanks to their homophony with the word “善” (benevolence) and “散” (dispersion, prosperity). Round fans symbolized “reunion” and “completeness” and were often given at weddings to express wishes for happiness and fertility.
Chinese (Zhe Shan)
Folding fans
Appearing during the Song and Yuan dynasties, folding fans revolutionized fan craftsmanship. Originally called “juto shan” (聚头扇) or “folding fans,” they reached their peak during the Ming dynasty.
Folding fans became a fashionable accessory among scholars and nobles. Their surface was often used as a support for poems and paintings, making them symbols of elegance and refinement. Folding fans made of gold and gold silk, found in princely tombs of the Ming Dynasty, attest to their prestige.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the folding fan enjoyed its golden age, becoming an essential part of literate culture and a refined gift item.
