History and meaning of the Chinese fan
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From the imperial family, to the nobles and the poorest commoners, the Chinese fans played a very important role for all the caste of Chinese society, and thus for Chinese culture and its history. They are still very popular today, not only in China but also in Westerners. If you go to China during the summer, you can easily see people in the streets peacefully with their fans.
The Chinese range has more than three thousand years of history behind it. During its history, it has undergone multiple developments during its history, and has not had the sole use of fighting heat. Here we will teach you everything you need to know about traditional Chinese fans.
History of the Chinese fan
The Chinese invented the fans which are still so dear to Asian culture today, and archaeologists agree that the oldest range discovered in Asia, dating from the 2nd century BC is from China, more precisely from the tomb of Mawangdui in the province of Hunan. This ancient range is made of braided bamboo and it is believed that it was used by royalty when it was traveling.
But if the oldest Chinese fan would be over 2000 years old, the history of Chinese fans would be much older, and dates back more than 3,000 years, more precisely at the time of the Shang dynasty (1600 to 1046 BC). But when it started, the fans was used in a very different way. Called Shanhan, the range was then attached to a horse -drawn car, like a roof, in order to filter the heat of the sun and house the car during the rain. Thus, technically, the Shanhan is more like The Pardelle modern today that in the portable Chinese fan that we all know today. That being said, the Shanhan then evolved to become a long -sleeved range called Zhangshan, which is built from feathers or fine silk fabrics. At the time, Zhangshan was mainly used for decoration, and as part of the Emperor's guard of honor.
The first Chinese fan used in the way we know today, to cool off, was invented at the time of the Zhou dynasty (1046-256 BC), more than 2,000 years ago. The Chinese range of the time was mainly made of feathers and was especially popular among the most rich and the nobility, since it was extremely expensive to make one at the time. During the Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), the range has become even more popular, especially when the more affordable bamboo fans, and the roseaux leaves fans Hand -woven have been invented, allowing ordinary people to own and use them.
The popularity of these fans continues to the Song dynasty (960-1279 after J-C). Then, a new type of silk range also appeared. These silk fans are round shape, to look like the moon, and are called the "round fans" or tuánshàn (团扇). Due to their small size and simplicity, round fans have become popular, especially among young women. Later, these round fans took other forms, such as the shape of a sunflower or plum flower, and for others, oval forms. The handle is then engraved with beautiful patterns and drawings, and it is often decorated with pendants in jade, while the fabric screen is often decorated with paintings inspired by nature, such as mountain landscapes or flowers. Rivors of the fan are mainly made of bamboo or animal bones. These round silk fans continued to be popular in ancient China for almost 1000 years, which also contributes to the popularity of painting on a fan as an important Chinese art form in ancient China and even until today Hui.
Today there are more than 500 types of fans Different in China, some of which are very popular around the world.
Meaning of Chinese fans
The meaning and value of Chinese fans have evolved over time. The round silk, or tuánshàn range, for example, is made on the model of the full moon, the full moon itself being a symbol of happiness and union in China.
Before that, during the Zhou dynasty, about 2,000 years ago, it was believed that the Chinese range symbolized wisdom and authority, the fans in feathers being mainly used by the nobles. At the time of the Song dynasty, when the Chinese fans became the norm for the people, the paint On fan has become very recognized and, as we mentioned, painting on fan has therefore become a popular art form in its own right. The paintings of birds and flowers, for example, symbolize beauty and grace and have become the favorite motif of young women for their fans. The scholars, however, prefer the fans decorated with calligraphy and representation of ancient stories, which symbolize wisdom and knowledge. Mythological creatures are also popular choices in fans painting. THE dragons, for example, are frequently represented in male fans, while women generally prefer phoenix.
In these modern times, symbolism and philosophy are perhaps no longer as important as before, but some people can seek fans with specific patterns that could symbolize a certain value or be considered as lucky charm. Consult our Collection of Chinese fans To find the range that best suits you.
Types of Chinese fans
The feathered range
As its name suggests, this type of fan is made of bird feathers and has existed since the time of the Zhou dynasty. It is commonly used in the imperial family and in aristocrats, and is widely recognized in ancient China as the symbol of wealth, authority and wisdom.
Folding fan
The folding range is mainly characterized by its ability to fold to take an easy -to -transport form. The folding range was invented not by the Chinese, but by the Japanese. The folding fans were introduced into the Middle Empire by trade around the 7th or 8th century, and became an important part of the Chinese heritage. They have become very popular, especially at the time of the Song and Ming dynasties.
Bamboo range
He is also often known as the rotary fan, because this range was much less expensive to make than these predecessors, and therefore allowed the most modest Chinese to access the fans. Popular rendered under the Han dynasty (206 BC-220 BC), bamboo fans are therefore much more affordable than the ancients, like those made from bone of animals For the range coasts, and are therefore widely used at that time.
Silk range
Famous especially at the time of the southern and north dynasties (420 - 589), the silk was fabric so as to take a round shape, the shape of the full moon. It is therefore also called "Round range"Or Tuánshàn. It was widely used in the imperial palace, especially in young Chinese women, because of its delicate motifs and female form.
Registered range
The registered range is characterized by the registered calligraphy, the number, the Chinese sign or the Mandarin character which can symbolize a specific meaning to each drawing. It is commonly accepted as the symbol of knowledge and wisdom, and is therefore popular among the scholars of ancient China.
Paper range
As its name suggests, it is made of paper and its outer face is covered with certain coatings such as lacquer or oil to protect it from water and make it more durable.
Palm leaf range
It is relatively large and heavy, and traditionally with a really long and heavy handle. The palm leaf range is sometimes colored green to give more freshness to dry palm leaves.
