Simply “fluttering” a fan could take up to three months to master and by maneuvering the fan, many different meanings could be passed on.
As portrayed in many movies, fans were a major way of flirtation. List of meanings of fans movements were even published for ladies’ education.
Some include:
With handle to lips
Carrying it in the right
hand in front of face
Carrying in the left hand
Placing it on left ear
Twirling in left hand
Drawing across forehead
Carrying in right hand
Drawing across right cheek
Drawing through hand
Twirling in right hand
Closing it
Drawing across eyes
Letting it rest on right cheek
Letting it rest on left cheek
Open and shut
Dropping
Fanning slowly
Fanning fast
Open wide
Fans
Fans were an important part of communication. They were often embellished with decorative jewels, drawing, feathers, or anything else wanted. Although court manner, the elaborate manner in which higher positioned individuals acted, decreased in importance during the Regency era, fans were still a major part of etiquette and communication.
By Elena Oh