Circular fans, or tuanshan, have a longer history than standard folding fans. The round shape symbolizes perfection.

 

In China, there is a saying that you can borrow a fan from another person only during autumn or winter. This is because they are not in demand–the function of a fan is to produce coolness in summer and spring. But fans are also ideal collectors’ items.

According to historical documents, China was the first country to invent and use fans. The use of fans dates back more than 300 years ago. But their original function was not to cool people, but instead they were used as a sunshade and to keep away dust during royal processions. It was only after the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 25) that fans were used for cooling.
 

Due to its frequent use in people’s lives, a culture of fans was developed. One prominent manifestation is its use as a theme in poems and paintings. For example, “autumn fans” are a metaphor for women who have been discarded or who have parted ways with their lovers, because in autumn, fans are not being used.

Fans were popular as an item of artwork to be painted or drawn upon, especially during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). It was recorded that at the night market in Lin’an, then capital of the South Song Dynasty (1127-1279), there were people who set up a stall to draw on fans. The drawings were mostly court ladies, hills, waters, birds, flowers  and famous poems.
 

Fans are also a typical theme in operas. Many renowned stories were related to fans, like Journey to the West, A Dream in Red Mansions and The Story Of Justice Bao. Even in more recent times some operas were named after fans, including The Peach Blossom Fan and Sandalwood Fan. Nowadays, fans are also a prop in operas, dances and other stage shows.