Paper fans are generally sheets of paper folded accordion style, then spread open at one end. Waving the paper fan up and down causes air to move and helps cool you off. They are easy to make and fun to design--a great craft for children at home, school or camp. But paper fans have had a long line of significant functions over the centuries that go beyond crafts and temperature control. Across the world and all through history, paper fans have been used as status symbols, family icons, dancing props and even weapons.
History
Hand fans have a history of thousands of years around the world, beginning with ancient Egypt. Paper fans took a few more centuries to catch on. Although paper was invented in China, paper fans originated in Japan and were imported to China during the Ming dynasty. They were first made by attaching decorative paper to thin sticks of bamboo. The method of folding fans accordion style was established when hand fans were made from papyrus or thin slats of wood. Paper, however, was more flexible and less bulky, making the paper fan easier to carry around. The beautiful designs and low cost of Oriental paper fans caused their popularity in European regions like Spain and England. Styles, materials and designs varied greatly from one paper fan to another, though the basic structure has changed little.
Significance
When paper fans first became popular in China and Japan, they had both function and significance. Women carried fans around as readily as they wore shoes (or more readily, since shoes were not worn indoors). Often, the paper fan bore the design of a family crest or the symbol of a particular dynasty to which the family was loyal. In England, rich women and members of the royal families carried fans made from bone or ivory and interwoven with jewels and golden foil. The more elaborate the design, the higher the status of the owner. Aristocratic women of Spain and England used their fans as a sort of secret code to communicate with each other more freely than society would allow. Paper fans still have much significance in China and Japan while the rest of the world admires them as souvenirs and home ornaments.
Function
The most obvious function of a paper fan is temperature control. Even the most crudely made fan (notebook paper folded back and forth and secured at the bottom with a staple) can make a hot sticky day more bearable. But other functions of paper fans are much more interesting. For example, paper fans are used in certain Japanese and Chinese dances and are part of the traditional uniform of the Japanese court. Signaling fans were once used in Japanese warfare to issue commands. Tessen were ordinary-looking paper fans that were constructed with a skeleton of iron and used as weapons in Japan.
Benefits
The great benefits of paper fans are that they are portable, functional, economical and easy to make. If air is what you need, a paper fan can be whipped up in an instant using a nearby pamphlet or an old water bill. And it doesn't require electricity to run.
Children can be taught to make paper fans as a project. They can learn not only the craft but the history behind the fans and the significance of the design.
Store-bought fans, whether imported or machine processed, are beneficial for the artwork alone. They are sold in such a variety of sizes, you can find any spot on your wall where they would look good. If you are an artist, a paper fan is a brilliant way to show off your artwork.
Types
The most commonly known paper fan is the folding fan, made by pasting decorative paper to slats of wood, bone, bamboo or other structural material and folding it all accordion style. Normally, one end is fastened together while the other end fans out.
Another type of fan is a paddle fan. Paddle fans have been used since ancient times and do not fold. They were originally made with fronds or leaves attached to a strong stem or some variety of wood. Later, some paddle fans were made with thick paper. While these fans produce more air flow than folding paper fans, they are not very portable.
Dancing fans are used by Japanese Geisha as both prop and costume. Other Japanese and Chinese dancing traditions use paper fans as well.
Decorative fans are very large paper fans (also made of silk or cloth) that are used as ornaments for your wall. Although they typically fold up, they are not meant to be carried around or used to keep yourself cool.
Signal fans and iron fans are both types of war fans used in hostile situations. Signal fans, as stated earlier, are used as communicators. Iron fans are used for attack and self defense.
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