Hand Fan

Very early in 7th century BC, the Chinese hand fan, more specifically used for dancing, was developed. The hand fan was made up of a row of feathers placed at the end of the handle. These fans were more delicate compared to the earliest Chinese fans created with woven bamboo, discovered in the 2nd century. The Chinese meaning of fan is inspired by an image of 'feathers from under a roof'. Different status' and genders would be associated to a specific kind of fan. When Asian hand fans started being mounted with bird feathers, which created a graceful, soft appearance, it wasn't long before they were used for dance shows in many imperial ceremonies.

Other than the use of feather and light fans, laborers used large round ones made out of grass to help them keep cool in warm summer weather. Fans were also developed in fine paper and mounted in bamboo similar to its original version, used by the aristocrats and scholars. There was also an interest in painting poetic and artistic expression on the paper.

The folding fan was invented in Japan during the 6th to 8th century. In the 11th century, Korean used the folding fans, Japanese origin, as gifts to the Chinese court. Later around the 16th century, Portugese trade introduced folding fans to the west and it became popular rapidly with most of the continent adopting it.

Today, Asian hand fans are found in the formal costume of the Japanese court and by Shinto priests. In Japanese pop culture, paper fans are also called 'Harisen' and are featured in anime and graphic novels. Fans made today are smoother, with an even texture and easier and faster to make with a machine.

Michele