User:Luo Jingyan
Folding Fan: History, Craftsmanship, and Etiquette
The folding fan, also known as a "folding leaf fan," "whirling fan," or "tight-headed fan," is a collapsible handheld device crafted with bamboo/wood or ivory ribs and a face made of resilient paper, satin, or silk gauze. When unfolded, it forms a semicircular shape, gathering at the head while spreading at the tail.
Historical Origins
The folding fan traces its origins to the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD). According to The Book of Han, handheld fans like "silk round fans" (纨扇) and "feather fans" (羽扇) existed during this period. However, the earliest prototype of the modern folding fan emerged in the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-589 AD). These early versions typically featured bamboo ribs and silk faces, prized by literati for their portability and effortless opening/closing mechanism. The folding fan truly flourished during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). Advances in papermaking and bamboo carving techniques enabled mass production and popularization. Gradually, it evolved from a practical tool into a cultural artifact embodying artistic value. The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) witnessed the folding fan's golden age. Emperor Chengzu (Zhu Di) particularly favored these fans, commissioning large quantities for imperial gifts and elevating their status as essential social etiquette objects. Scholars enthusiastically adorned fan surfaces with poetry and paintings, seamlessly integrating calligraphy and art with functionality. By the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 AD), craftsmanship reached its zenith. Materials diversified dramatically—ivory, tortoiseshell, and sandalwood became prized for ribs, while surfaces grew ornate with intricate inlay work. Distinct regional styles emerged, including Suzhou (苏扇), Hangzhou (杭扇), and Ningbo (宁扇) traditions, transforming the folding fan into an emblem of social standing and refined discernment. (Liu Lei 2021, 73-75)
Production Process
The creation of a folding fan constitutes an intricate traditional craft involving dozens of procedures from material selection to final assembly. Using Suzhou-style fans (苏扇) as representative, the key steps are as follows:
(1) Material Selection
Ribs demand premium materials: bamboo varieties like Xiangfei (mottled bamboo), Zong (lacquer bamboo), and Meilu (spotted bamboo), or precious woods such as rosewood and yellow huanghuali. Fan surfaces typically employ xuan paper, silk gauze, or satin, chosen according to functional and artistic requirements.
(2) Rib Crafting
Selected bamboo/wood is cut into strips, treated through steaming and sun-drying to prevent warping and insect damage. Subsequent polishing, carving, and pyrography techniques adorn ribs with landscapes, flora/fauna, figures, or poetic inscriptions.
(3) Surface Mounting
A thin paste layer is evenly applied to xuan paper or silk, which is then meticulously aligned and pressed onto ribs. Edges receive precision trimming to ensure seamless integration before air-drying.
(4) Assembly
Ribs and surfaces are joined with hinge pins and end caps. The rivet tension is calibrated through repeated folding tests to guarantee smooth operation without looseness or stiffness.
(5) Embellishment
Ribs undergo final enrichment through inlay, openwork, or polychrome painting. Calligraphers and painters may grace surfaces with bespoke artworks, transforming functional objects into unique artistic statements. (Liu Fuge 2017)
Usage Scenarios and Etiquette
In traditional Chinese society, folding fans were utilized across diverse contexts while embodying specific etiquette rules: (1) Social Occasions Folding fans served as crucial accessories for ancient scholars. During literary gatherings (yaji) or poetry sessions, literati would: • Hold folding fans to partially conceal their faces, swaying them gently to demonstrate refined elegance; • Exchange fans as expressions of friendship and respect, with inscribed poems and paintings conveying the giver's sentiments and aspirations; • Carry fans during business negotiations or visits not only as status symbols but also observing proper etiquette in opening/closing methods and positioning to reflect personal cultivation. (2) Performing Arts In theatrical and dance performances, folding fans were indispensable props: • Peking opera actors revealed character personalities and emotions through distinct holding techniques and movements; • Dancers created graceful visual effects through opening/closing, flipping motions coordinated with body language. Classical dances like “Folding Fan Dance on Vermilion Scroll” (Shanwu Danqing) fully demonstrated the fan's artistic expressiveness. (Sun Baihe 2023) (3) Daily Life In summer, folding fans were widely used as cooling implements; gentle swaying generated refreshing breezes. As weather cooled, fans could be folded into sleeves, becoming portable decorative accessories. Additionally, fans served to shield one's face, conveying sentiments discreetly when direct expression was inconvenient. Fan etiquette required observance of specific protocols: • Handle fans with clean hands and graceful motions; avoid careless waving or rough treatment; • When presenting a fan to others, orient its decorated side toward the recipient to demonstrate respect; • Before elders or superiors, exercise restraint in usage—eschewing flamboyance to embody humble courtesy.
Chinese folding fan culture stands not only as a radiant gem within traditional Chinese heritage but also as a treasured legacy in humanity's cultural repository. Embodying historical memories, artistic excellence, and cultural ethos, it continuously shapes aesthetic sensibilities and lifestyles—serving as a cultural conduit bridging past, present, and future.
Terms and Expressions
扇骨：Rib 扇面：Fan Surface 纨扇：silk round fans 羽扇：feather fans 苏扇：Suzhou - style Folding Fan 裱面：Surface Mounting 烫花：Hot - stamping Pattern
Questions
When was the prosperous period of folding fans? What are the steps in the production process of Suzhou - style Folding Fan? What occasions can folding fans be used in?
References
[1]陈银波,邢若晨. 浅谈苏扇装饰形式的历史演变[J].美术教育研究, 2020, (04): 47-48. [2]刘福格. 清风徐来—折扇的设计艺术研究[D]. 北京化工大学, 2017. [3]刘雷. 折扇扇面种类的变迁[J].苏州工艺美术职业技术学院学报, 2021, (03): 73-75. [4]孙百合. 戏曲折扇在中国古典舞身韵女班教学中的实践研究[D]. 沈阳师范大学, 2023. [5]陶永胜,陶继然. 荣昌折扇特色及艺术价值研究[J]. 美术教育研究, 2017, (17): 40-41. [6]王丽. 苏扇传统手工艺现代发展研究[D]. 苏州大学, 2012.
折扇：历史、工艺与礼仪
折扇，又名“撒扇”、“旋风扇”、“紧头扇”。是一种用竹木或象牙做扇骨、韧纸或绫绢做扇面的能折叠的扇子；用时须撒开，成半规形，聚头散尾。
一、历史渊源
折扇的起源可追溯至东汉时期，据《汉书》记载，当时已有 “纨扇”“羽扇” 等形式，但现代意义上的折扇雏形最早见于南北朝时期。那时的折扇多为竹骨绢面，以携带轻便、开合自如的特点受到文人雅士青睐。不过，折扇真正的繁荣期始于宋代，随着造纸术与竹雕工艺的进步，折扇开始大量生产并普及，逐渐从实用工具转变为兼具艺术价值的文化载体。 到了明代，折扇迎来鼎盛阶段。明成祖朱棣尤为喜爱折扇，曾下令大量制作并赏赐群臣，推动其成为社交礼仪中的重要物件。文人墨客热衷于在扇面题诗作画，将书法、绘画与折扇完美融合，使折扇兼具实用与审美功能。清代时期，折扇工艺达到巅峰，材质越发丰富，象牙、玳瑁、檀香木等珍贵材料被用于扇骨制作，扇面装饰也更加繁复，形成了苏扇、杭扇、宁扇等各具特色的地域流派，折扇也由此成为彰显身份与品味的象征。（刘雷 2021, 73-75）
二、制作步骤
折扇的制作是一门精细复杂的传统工艺，从原料选取到成品完成，需经过数十道工序，以 “苏扇” 制作流程为例，其主要步骤如下： （一）选料：扇骨选材讲究，优质的竹材如湘妃竹、棕竹、梅鹿竹是常见选择，木质材料则有紫檀、黄花梨等；扇面常用宣纸、绢、绫等，根据用途与工艺需求进行挑选。 （二）制骨：将选好的竹材或木材切割成条，经过蒸煮、晾晒等处理，防止变形与虫蛀；再通过打磨、雕刻、烫花等工艺，在扇骨上呈现山水、花鸟、人物等图案或诗文。 （三）裱面：将扇面纸张或绢布均匀涂抹浆糊，平整粘贴在扇骨上，待其干燥固定；边缘部分需精细处理，确保扇面与扇骨紧密贴合。 （四）装配：将扇骨与扇面组装，安装扇头、扇钉等部件，调试开合松紧度，保证折扇开合顺畅。 （五）装饰：根据设计需求，对扇骨进行镶嵌、镂空、彩绘等装饰，扇面则邀请书画家题字作画，赋予折扇独特的艺术魅力。（刘福格 2017）
三、使用的场景以及礼节
在传统中国社会，折扇应用于丰富多样的场景，同时承载着特定的礼仪规范： （一）社交场合 折扇是古代文人社交的重要道具。在雅集、诗会等场合，文人常手持折扇，以扇遮面、轻摇慢摆，尽显儒雅风范；互赠折扇也是表达情谊与敬意的方式，扇面上的题诗作画更是寄托了赠者的心意与期许。在商务洽谈、拜访宾客时，携带折扇不仅是身份象征，其开合、摆放的方式也需遵循礼仪，以体现个人修养。 （二）艺术表演 在戏曲、舞蹈表演中，折扇是不可或缺的道具。京剧演员通过折扇的不同持法与动作，展现角色性格与情绪；舞蹈演员借助折扇的开合、翻转，配合肢体语言，营造出优美灵动的视觉效果，如古典舞《扇舞丹青》便将折扇的艺术表现力展现得淋漓尽致。（孙百合 2023） （三）日常生活 夏季，折扇作为纳凉工具被广泛使用，轻轻摇动即可带来凉爽清风；在天气转凉时，折扇又可收于袖中，成为随身携带的装饰品。此外，折扇还可用于遮挡面部，在不便直接表达态度或情绪时，以扇掩面含蓄传递心意。 在使用折扇的过程中，也有着诸多礼节讲究。例如，持扇时应保持手部干净、动作优雅，避免随意挥舞或粗鲁对待；向他人递扇时，需将扇面正面朝向对方，以示尊重；在长辈或地位较高者面前，使用折扇要更加克制，不可过于张扬，以体现谦逊有礼的态度。 中国折扇文化不仅是中国传统文化的璀璨明珠，更是世界文化宝库中的珍贵财富。其承载的历史记忆、艺术价值与文化精神，持续影响着人们的审美与生活，成为连接过去、现在与未来的文化纽带。
Terms and Expressions
扇骨：Rib 扇面：Fan Surface 纨扇：silk round fans 羽扇：feather fans 苏扇：Suzhou - style Folding Fan 裱面：Surface Mounting 烫花：Hot - stamping Pattern
Questions
折扇的繁荣时期是何时？ “苏扇” 制作流程有哪些步骤？ 折扇能运用于哪些场合？
References
[1]陈银波,邢若晨. 浅谈苏扇装饰形式的历史演变[J].美术教育研究, 2020, (04): 47-48.
[2]刘福格. 清风徐来—折扇的设计艺术研究[D]. 北京化工大学, 2017.
[3]刘雷. 折扇扇面种类的变迁[J].苏州工艺美术职业技术学院学报, 2021, (03): 73-75.
[4]孙百合. 戏曲折扇在中国古典舞身韵女班教学中的实践研究[D]. 沈阳师范大学, 2023.
[5]陶永胜,陶继然. 荣昌折扇特色及艺术价值研究[J]. 美术教育研究, 2017, (17): 40-41.
[6]王丽. 苏扇传统手工艺现代发展研究[D]. 苏州大学, 2012.