Chinese Fans

Fans have been used by many different cultures including the

Egyptians, Assyrians, Greeks, Romans, and the Mayas and Incans in the Americas.

The first fan used in China was in the 2nd Century BC, and the first written

reference to the fan was in AD121. Flat fans became popular during the Han

Dynasty, between 202 BC and AD 204.

The Chinese character for fan is an ideograph of feathers under a roof, and it

is true that many of the first fans used in China were made from feathers. Early

fans were also made from palm leaves, bamboo, plant fibers, and even animal

hair. Fans were first used by members of the court and the upper-class, and they

were used for decoration as well as utility.

The every day fan is called pien shan, and the flat fan is called wan shan. Flat

fans were often used by court dancers in the 7th Century, and the feathers used

for these fans made the dancers look like phoenixes in flight. Another name for

the feather fan is yu shan.

Folding fans were first invented in Japan during the 8th Century, and were

introduced to China in the 9th century. The folding fan was first manufactured

in China during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) and became popular during the

Ming Dynasty.

The folding fan was soon made from fine materials such as silk and satin, and

the spokes of the fan were made from materials as inexpensive as bamboo or as

delicate as jade. Many early fans were manufactured in Hangzhou, and Hangzhou

and Suzhou are still known as the best towns to buy fans in China.

Fans have always held a strong place in Chinese literature. Fans are mentioned

in great works such as The Dream of Red Mansions. A fan is even the centerpiece

of the story in 'The Peach-Blossom Fan.'

Most recently, fans have paintings and designs written on them, and can be made

from textile material, silk, paper, and even sandalwood. Sandalwood fans are

especially popular because of their delicate scent.

Come check out our selection of Chinese fans! Just click on this link... Chinese Fans. Sylvia Smelcer is the owner of Hinky Import, an online store specializing in items from Tibet, Nepal, and China.

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