Chinese Fan — History, Classification, Utilization, Art, Culture, and Artifact
Chinese Fans, throughout history, served as ritual wares, practical devices, and eloquent carriers of traditional arts and literature.
Beyond utilitarian functions, these intricately crafted fans have become symbolic representations of one's aesthetic taste and social status.
In the hands of individuals throughout the ages, Chinese fans have been more than mere accessories; they have cherished artifacts that reflect the cultural richness, artistic expressions, and social nuances of their time.
Fan of Court Ladies in Painting "Zanhua Shinv Tu", By Artist Zhou Fang of the Tang Dynasty (618 — 907) — Liaoning Museum
Silk Fan with Carved Ebony Handle of the Qing Dynasty (1636 — 1912) — Palace Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)
Origin of Chinese Fans
The origin of fans in China is believed to be something ancient people used to wave to create a current of air, such as broad leaves and birds' feathers, to stay cool in hot weather.
Besides this primary function, however, some other main uses throughout history made fans valuable art pieces and eminent crafts.
Silk Fan with Carved Lacquer Handle of the Qing Dynasty (1636 — 1912) — Palace Museum
Types and Symbolism of Chinese Fans
Wuming Shan or Zhang Shan — The Most Ancient Ritual Fan
Wuming Shan or Zhang Shan is a long handle, door-shaped fan for ceremonial uses, believed invented by King Shun (about 2294 BC — 2184 BC).
Wuming means enlightened, open-minded, and bright in all five directions, east, west, north, south, and the middle.
The shape of the Wuming Shan changed to some extent over history; however, its ritual uses as the symbol of imperial power and authority remained until the fall of the last feudal Qing Dynasty (1636 — 1912).
Ritual Fans or Wuming Shan in Court Painting "Bunian Tu" about Emperor Taizong of Tang Receiving the Tibetan (Tu Bo) Envoy, by Yan Liben (601 — 673) — Palace Museum
Tuan Shan or Gong Shan — Moon-Shaped Fan with Artistic Value
Tuan Shan or Gong Shan is a round moon-shaped fan initially used to shelter nobles from sun, wind, and sand, usually held by servants.
Centuries later, the fan became smaller and could be held and designed by nobles as artistic decorations.
Usually, Calligraphy, Painting, and auspicious Patterns are the main artistic decorations for fans.
Moon Shaped Bamboo Fan of the Qing Dynasty (1636 — 1912) Inlayed with Carved Agarwood and Silver Threads — Palace Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)
Another important use of both Wuming Shan and Tuan Shan is to hide one's face behind.
Some sovereigns didn't want to reveal their faces to the public, such as Emperor Wang Mang (45 BC — 23 AD), who would command the servants to hold long-handle fans as screens.
To show respect and avoid impolite or unnecessary eye contact, other men would also use their fans to shield them in certain situations.
Historically, women mostly use fans to hide their faces when they feel shy or unwilling to see certain people.
Different Moon-Shaped Fans or Tuan Shan in Painting "Huishan Shinv Tu" by Zhou Fang of the Tang Dynasty (618 — 907), On Hands of Imperial Court Lady and Her Servant — Palace Museum
Wedding Fan or Bridal Fan — Ceremony of Que Shan
In a Traditional Chinese Wedding, the bride would hold a fan, usually the moon-shaped Tuan Shan, in front of her face to hide her shyness, stay mysterious, and exorcise evil spirits.
When the new couple completed all other wedding ceremonies, after the groom impressed the bride, such as writing a good poem, the bride would remove her wedding fan and face the groom.
This is the Rite of Que Shan, an important ceremony in a traditional Chinese wedding.
Wedding Fan or Bridal Fan in Chinese TV Series "The Story of Minglan"
Folding Fan or Zhe Shan — Aesthetic Art Folded on Hands
Folding Fans or Zhe Shan originated relatively late, during the Han (202 BC — 220 AD) to Tang (618 — 907) dynasties, or were introduced from Japan.
Until the Ming Dynasty (1368 — 1644), Folding Fans were popularized rapidly.
Scholars wrote Calligraphy and drew Paintings on each side of exquisite folding fans, which became one of the most important accessories representing one's social status, aesthetic taste, and literary attainment.
Folding Paper Fans of the Qing Dynasty, Painting by Dong Bangda (1696－1769), Calligraphy by Qianlong Emperor (1711 － 1799) — Palace Museum
Materials for Making Chinese Fans
Feather, silk, paper, bamboo, wood, rattan, bulrush, straw, and bone are all common materials to make fans throughout history.
Feather Fan of the Qing Dynasty (1636 — 1912) — Palace Museum
Luxurious materials like gold, glaze, jade, mica, and ivory have also been used to make or decorate fans, primarily by nobles and wealthy people.
Besides, exquisite fan bags, fan pendants, and fan boxes are also beautiful art pieces.
Folding Fans and Fan Boxes of the Qing Dynasty, Painted with Views of Mountain Resort Chengde and Calligraphy by Li Zongwan (1705 － 1759) — Palace Museum
Design, Drawing, and other Cultural Content of Chinese Fans
Including painting, calligraphy, and embroidery on fans; some motifs have been quite popular throughout history.
Chinese Characters with Cultural Meanings
Calligraphy, the supreme art form for writing Chinese Characters, is one of the most popular fan decorations among scholars in history and today.
This is also considered the best representative of one's temperate, social status, literary attainment, and ambition.
Characters, phrases, poems, articles, and artistic seal stamps, are all typical content to write on fans.
Click to Read Chinese Characters, Phrases, and Poems For:
Chinese Fan Drawing — Landscape, Bird, Flower, and Figure Paintings
In Traditional Chinese Paintings, landscape, bird and flower, and figure are the three main genres.
Hence, these are also the most famous motifs of fan drawings and embroideries.
Auspicious Picture and Patterns on Ebony Handle Kesi Silk Fan of the Qing Dynasty (1636 — 1912) — Palace Museum
You Might Also Like:
Chinese Art — Aesthetic, Characteristic, and Form
Color Symbolism in Chinese Culture
Chinese Patterns — Ultimate Introduction to Origin, History, Meaning, and Culture
Chinese Silk — Traditions, Utilizations, Fabrics, Embroideries, Products, and Art
Chinese Paper and Art — Paper Cutting, Oil Paper Umbrella, and Kite
Chinese Calligraphy — Scripts, Aesthetics, and Appreciation of the Supreme Art
Chinese Paintings — Tradition, Aesthetics, Poetic Beauty, and Artistic Conception
Chinese Poetry — Eternal Resonance in Poems To Chant and Appreciate
Chinese Lanterns — History, Utilization, Tradition, Culture, and Artifact
Chinese Porcelain and Pottery — Art of Earth and Fire
Chinese Architecture — Tradition, Characteristics, and Style
Chinese Palaces — Architecture and Art of Imperial Feats
Chinese Gardens — Aesthetics, Philosophy, and Architecture in Nature
Chinese Furniture — Oriental Artwork with Aesthetic and Practical Values
Chinese Music — History, Classifications, Artists, Eminent Songs, and Fun Facts
Traditional Muscial Instrument
Chinese Dance — Ancient Art Form Across Time and Space
Shadow Puppetry and Puppet Show — Magnificent World of Art of Fingertips
Traditional Handicrafts in Chinese Art
Chinese Jade — Origin, History, Meaning, Culture, and Utilization
Chinese Costume and the Strict Hierarchy in the History
Chinese Zodiac Signs — A Comprehensive Introduction
Chinese Astrology — Three Enclosures, Four Symbols, Twenty-eight Lunar Mansions
Valuable Pieces of Jewelry and Their Historical, Cultural Meanings
Beautiful, Exquisite Traditional Chinese Hair Ornaments
Delicate Pendant Accessories in the History of China
Traditional Love Token — Representative of Romance and Affection
Chinese Novels — Timeline, List, and Brief Introduction
Wuxia and Jianghu — Fairy Tale of the Adult World