Paper Fans
Generally, paper fans are fans made out of paper. They are sheets of paper that are folded in an accordion style and spread open it its one end. They are used to cool you off and move the air by waving them upward and downward at a relatively high speed. You will never find it difficult to create this handmade fan and there is a lot fun designing it. Making one is a great work of art especially for children at home, in school and the like. The function of this fan is no longer limited to the control of temperature and work of art. Other uses of it include status symbols, weapons, dancing props and family icons.
The creation of handmade fans made of paper began during the Ancient Egypt Times. It took a few centuries or it to become popular. The origin of fans made of paper was in Japan although the invention of paper was in China. During the Dynast of Ming, these fans were imported to China from Japan. The first paper handmade fans were made by attaching some decorative paper to thin bamboo sticks. The first handmade fans made in accordion style used narrow strips of wood or papyrus. Paper became the most widely used material for handmade fans due to its high flexibility. European regions including England and Spain appreciated and welcomed the beautiful designs and affordability of these Oriental made fans. Until now, the basic structure of these fans has had only little changes but the designs, styles and even materials have altered significantly.
The popularity of paper handmade fans was due not only to their function but also significance. In Japan and China, these creative fans were carried around readily. Often, the design of the paper handmade fan used by a particular person depends on the certain dynasty her family belongs and is loyal to. English women who come from royal families carried paper fans made out of ivory or bone embellished with golden foils and jewels. The more elaborate and intricate the design and style of the fan, the higher the social status of woman is. Spanish and English aristocratic women made use of fans to somewhat serve as their secret code in communicating with one another more freely than the society would permit. All countries in the world other than Japan and China love these fans for souvenirs and decorations in homes. Japanese and Chinese people give importance to this art piece.
As for function, the most obvious use of the fans is to control temperature. However, they are useful in some other ways such as their use in a number of Chinese and Japanese dances. They are also part of the Japanese court traditional costume or uniform. There are a lot of benefits one can get from these fans. Aside from their being easy to make and functional, users love their affordability and portability.
It is beneficial for children to be taught how to make paper fans. It is important that they do not only know the craft but more importantly, the history behind these fans and the significance of the various designs. There are different kinds of fan made from paper. These include folding fan which is the most common type, paddle fan dancing fans, decorative fans, iron fans and signal fans. All of these types are significant to the tradition of the Japanese and Chinese community. These beautiful fans are an essential element of the history of both countries. Some of them are hand- colored showing awe- inspiring designs that many people from different parts of the world would love.