Bamboo Fans: Symbols of Eastern Aesthetics

History

As early as the Shang Dynasty, fans, known as "zhanshan," first appeared. In ancient times, when the emperor went out on tour, his attendants would follow behind him holding large bamboo fans.

These bamboo fans were wide and large, shielding faces from the wind and dust. Moreover, The guards followed the emperor, holding bamboo fans in unison. The common people could tell at a glance that the emperor was of noble status and had a majestic aura.

During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, bamboo fans began to gain prominence. People have long used bamboo to make fans because it grows everywhere in China, is sturdy, and is easy to craft. Later, learned people in ancient times liked to write poems and draw pictures on bamboo fans. Make it into a folding fan and carry it with you. People gradually used bamboo fans not only for fanning but also made them a symbol of culture.

During the Tang and Song dynasties, bamboo fans were a common sight in the streets. From emperors and nobles in the palace to merchants and farmers, everyone loved using bamboo fans. By the Ming and Qing dynasties, the craftsmanship of bamboo fans reached its peak. Workers paint beautiful designs on fans and carve exquisite patterns, making fans a treasure that combines functional and art.

Craftsmanship

The craftsmanship of bamboo fans is complex and intricate. When selecting materials for making bamboo fans, workers will go into the bamboo forest and pick bamboo that is more than three years old. This type of bamboo has a smooth surface, is free of insects, has a strong and resilient texture, and is uniform in every detail. This makes fans durable and beautiful.

After harvesting the bamboo specie , workers first split it lengthwise with a sharp knife. step by step, workers chip it into strips and pieces—all the same width and thickness.

Every step in making a bamboo fan is not easy. Only experienced masters can accurately control the strength. If the strength is slightly off, the fan will not be strong and will not look good.

The polishing process is even more meticulous. When workers polish bamboo slats and pieces, they use various sandpapers. First, use coarse sandpaper to remove any burrs and uneven areas on the bamboo surface. Then switch to fine sandpaper and slowly polish until the bamboo strips feel smooth.

The skeletal structure is the soul of a bamboo fan. For example, the common folding fan has a wide variety of rib shapes, including rectangular, pointed, and qin-style. Workers weave the polished bamboo strips into fan surfaces through techniques such as mortise and tenon joints and flame-burning. Some high-end fans soak bamboo strips in water and polish them repeatedly until the surface of the bamboo strips is smooth and translucent.

The crafting of fan surfaces is equally meticulous. Besides using rice paper and silk cloth to attach the fan ribs, workers also employ the unique bamboo plain weaving technique. In the case of Gong fans from Zigong, Sichuan, artisans can split bamboo threads into hair-thin strands.

The workers master hundreds of weaving techniques, such as human weaving, twisted silk weaving, plum blossom weaving, etc. They use their hands to weave flying birds, swimming fish, flowers, figures and beautiful landscapes on the fans. The bamboo threads fit seamlessly together, creating a scene that appears to be a natural creation.

Fan Art

The art of Chinese fan painting imbues bamboo fans with profound cultural significance. Fan painting has a long history, with painters creating works on fans as early as the Tang Dynasty.

Fans come in various shapes, with the most common being round round fans and folding fans. When painting or writing on a fan, artists must conceive the composition based on the fan's shape. Whether it's a round fan, a folding fan, or any other shape.

Fan painting has a diverse range of artistic styles. When painting, artists place particular emphasis on the skill of brush and ink. Each line and color of ink can convey emotion. They favor subjects like landscapes, flowers, and birds. While seemingly depicting landscapes and animals, they are actually expressing their own thoughts and emotions.

The painters of the Palace School worked carefully. They outlined the patterns on clothing and the fur of small animals. They especially liked showing the busy scenes of the imperial palace. This included the emperor's grand banquets and concubines gathering to enjoy flowers. They also illustrated ancient stories passed down through generations. All this came to life vividly on paper.

The folk painting school is simple and full of life, often featuring auspicious motifs and opera characters.

Many renowned painters are passionate about creating works on fans. A painter named Zheng Banqiao lived in the Qing Dynasty of China. He loved to write poems and draw on the surface of fans. The bamboo he painted looked so lifelike, as if it could sway in the wind. When paired with the poems written on the fans, these elements turned ordinary bamboo fans into true works of art.

Life

In modern life, bamboo fans are a natural and environmentally friendly way to cool down. On hot summer days, waving a bamboo fan gently gives you a natural, soft breeze.

Unlike air conditioners, it doesn’t make you dependent on it or give you "air-conditioning sickness". Exceptionally healthy, especially for old people and children.

Plus, Bamboo fans are also available in a wide range. They are easy to carry and consist of natural materials, which makes them eco-friendly. Whether you’re going for a walk, traveling, or just sitting outside to cool off, they’re a great way to beat the heat.

Chinese bamboo fans also hold considerable economic value. With Chinese people's growing appreciation for traditional culture, handmade bamboo paper fans are becoming increasingly popular. Fans crafted by renowned artists and featuring exquisite craftsmanship possess high quality collectible value and potential for appreciation.

The bamboo fan may look simple, but it holds thousands of years of history and culture. It shows how clever the craftsmen were and how hard they worked. Whether for personal use or as a gift for friends and family, a bamboo fan is a unique and meaningful choice.