As I have demonstrated, fans are used not only to create a breeze, they also were regarded as works of art and played important role in history. The role of fans was not same in the different times and places. As a symbol of high status, fans have played a role in both royal and religious ceremonies. The Egyptian pharaohs were attended by fan bearers. In traditional China, fans signified an official’s status. During the sixteenth to nineteenth century, in Europe, fans were, especially significant as symbols of femininity. John Gay (1685-1732) wrote in his The Fan:
“The Fan shall flutter in all female hands,
And various fashions learn from various lands.”
The fan was also a weapon in the love battle between sexes. Blondel(de Nesle, late 12th century), a French poet and musician, said in The History of the Fan: Fans for ‘women are armed with fans as Men with swords.’ They communicated their emotion through a fan, like its fluttering motion or abrupt closure etc.
Many cultural elements were transmitted through these ancient fans. We can understand some about design level, handcraft level, women’s cloth style, hair style, architecture style, painting style in the contemporary history through the small object.
Today, we can see these ancient fans in a museum or institute of the world. But very little has been written and digitized these ancient fans. That’s why I think we should digitize these valuable objects and offer the information to users who want to study and appreciate these historical treasures.
“The Fan shall flutter in all female hands,
And various fashions learn from various lands.”
The fan was also a weapon in the love battle between sexes. Blondel(de Nesle, late 12th century), a French poet and musician, said in The History of the Fan: Fans for ‘women are armed with fans as Men with swords.’ They communicated their emotion through a fan, like its fluttering motion or abrupt closure etc.
Many cultural elements were transmitted through these ancient fans. We can understand some about design level, handcraft level, women’s cloth style, hair style, architecture style, painting style in the contemporary history through the small object.
Today, we can see these ancient fans in a museum or institute of the world. But very little has been written and digitized these ancient fans. That’s why I think we should digitize these valuable objects and offer the information to users who want to study and appreciate these historical treasures.
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