Learning the Secret Language of Fans

A highlight of the tour of Rundāle Palace is a special lesson to teach the secret language of fans. With ladies in the 18th century having to follow strict etiquette rules set by society, it was not surprising that the secret language of fans was created. With the constant pressure to be perfectly docile and composed in public, there had to be a way to communicate with gentlemen they were interested in.

History of the Fan

The fan has been apart of history as far back as Egypt 4,000 years ago. But, Japan and China are both recognized as where the folding hand fan originated. The fan was then introduced to Europe through trade routes in the 16th century. In the beginning, the hand fan was the practical way to cool a person down. It also had a ceremonial role in Asia. That changed when the fan came to Europe. The purpose of the fan expanded to become a way to show status. The more elaborate designs and expensive materials demonstrated taste and wealth.

Designs of Fans

Fans in the 18th and 19th centuries out of France became so intricately detailed and designed. Fans were designed with all sorts of materials that were available. These included Bone, ivory, Tortoiseshell, silk, Mother-of-pearl, paper, fabric, straw & feather applique, sequins, brocade threads, lace, tulle, silhouette cutting, engraving, metallic foil finish, wash drawing, gilding, engraving, metallic foil finish, and painting.

The Secret Language of Fans

In Victorian times, ladies learned how to gain the attention of suiters, flirted, and declined advances through gestures and hand movements using their fans. A fan maker in Paris published a leaflet detailing the gestures and hand movements of the hand fan. The thought is that it was to increase sales of his fans. But more contemporary etiquette books and magazines started publishing the language. Soon women and men both understood the language to communicate when in public. The proper use of the hand fan also was passed down from woman to woman. I love that we have looked out for each other since the 18th century.

The Language of the Fan

Carrying in the right hand in front of the face – Follow me

Carrying in the left hand in front of the face – I am desirous of your acquaintance

Carrying in the right hand – You are too willing

Carrying in the left hand, open – Come and talk to me

Covering the left ear with an open fan – Do not betray our secret

Drawing across the forehead – You have changed

Drawing through the hand – I hate you

Drawing across the cheek – I love you

Drawing across the eyes – I am sorry

Twirling in the left hand – We are watched

Twirling in the right hand – I love another

Presented Shut – Do you love me?

Open and shut – You are cruel

Open Wide – Wait for me

Touching tip with a finger – I wish to speak to you

Hands clasped together holding an open fan – Forgive me

Letting it rest on the right cheek – Yes

Letting it rest on the left cheek – No

Letting it touch the right eye – When may I be allowed to see you?

The number of sticks shown answers the question – At what hour?

Dropping it – We will be friends

Fanning slowly – I am married

Fanning quickly – I am engaged

Placing it on the left ear – I wish to get rid of you

Placing handle to lips – Kiss me

Placing behind head – Don’t forget me

Placing behind the head with Little Finger extended – Goodbye

Practicing the Art of Fan Gestures

I gave it a whirl and tried to practice my ability to communicate with hand fans. Holding the fan with the right hand is usually positive, where using the left is negative. I could have used some of these earlier this year. Having picked up a couple of fans in Asia, I find them great additions on my travels, mainly for cooling me down. But, I might be using some of these communication messages in the future. More meanings for you include:

• Holding the fan wide open means I like you
• If you hold the fan half-shut, it means I want to be friends only
• Holding the fan completely shut means I hate you
• Striking his cheek with your fan means, How dare you!
• And turning your fan so he can only see the backside means I’ll never speak to you again
• Holding fan in the right hand in front of your face means Follow me
• Holding fan in the left hand in front of your face means Leave me
• Closing your fan and tapping your wrist means Meet me later
• Placing the fan near the heart means You have won my love

If you are interested in practicing these moves or picking up your fan, you can try these out from Amazon.

Summary

Learning the secret language of hand fans was a great activity on our tour of Rundāle Palace. The fan gestures and hand movements allowed women to express their feelings to potential suitors, whether they liked more attention from them or they weren’t interested. I enjoyed my time learning the craft. How do you think I did?

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Further Reading

If you are coming to Latvia for a visit, check out these posts for further travel inspiration:

• Exploring the Riga Central Market
• A Brief Visit to the KGB Museum in Riga – The Corner House
• A Somber Walk Through the Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum
• Remembering the Forgotten at Salaspils Memorial Ensemble and Rumbula Forest Memorial
• Rundāle Palace: Exploring the Versailles of the Baltics
• The Top Ten Things to do in Riga, Latvia