| Fans are a popular accessory for dancers in many | | | | designs or embroidery. In belly dancing and flamenco, |
| cultures. Native American Indians use hand-held feather | | | | wooden-ribbed fans are preferable to plastic fans |
| fans decorated with colorful beaded handles for | | | | because they open and close most easily. New fans |
| dances. In the Spanish art of flamenco, large folding | | | | may be stiff at first and need to be opened and |
| fans accentuate the dancer's dramatic movements. | | | | closed a number of times to break them in. |
| Fans are a fun accessory for belly dancers, who use | | | | Non-folding fans have a firm base that is covered in |
| feather fans or folding fans, depending upon the dance | | | | fabric and topped with feathers. You can make your |
| style. The rich history of the fan can inspire you to | | | | own by gluing craft sticks together in a fan shape, |
| create your own unique fan dance. | | | | creating a handle, covering with fabric, and attaching |
| History of the fan | | | | plumes. |
| Fans have a long history around the world. The | | | | Movement ideas for creating your own fan dance: |
| Pharaohs used as fans as cooling instruments, status | | | | 1. Google for "Language of the Fan" and act out a |
| symbols and decorative items. They consisted of | | | | story using this language. |
| ostrich feathers attached to the tops of long poles, and | | | | 2. Open the folding fan using one or both hands, or flick |
| were used for fanning the royals and for ceremonial | | | | it open for dramatic effect. |
| processions. | | | | 3. Play peek-a-boo with the fan, concealing and |
| In China, feather fans appeared 2,000 years ago; the | | | | revealing one or both eyes. |
| folding fan (topped with paper or fabric) was invented | | | | 4. Put your hands behind your back; fan your back as |
| in Japan in the 8th century. The fan became an art | | | | you walk in a circular pattern. |
| form in Asia, due to the beautiful paintings used as | | | | 5. Hold the fan out to your side and walk around the |
| decoration. Round fans were especially popular with | | | | fan as you hold it (space hold technique). |
| ladies. | | | | 6. Holding fan over your heart, look at your right |
| In Europe and the United States, ladies fans came to | | | | shoulder, gently pulsing the shoulder forward. |
| peak of popularity during the 1600-1800's as a fashion | | | | 7. Hold the fan like a veil, covering the nose and lower |
| accessory and cooling instrument. Ladies used | | | | part of the face. |
| gestures with the fan (the "Language Of The Fan") for | | | | 8. Scoop the air with the fan, creating loops, circles, or |
| flirting and giving covert messages to gentlemen. Fans | | | | figure 8's in the air. |
| were richly decorated, sometimes with paintings on silk | | | | 9. Turn with the fan, showing the fan's design to the |
| fabric, lace accents, and ribs made of mother of pearl. | | | | audience. |
| Choosing a fan | | | | 10. Hold the fan over your head with one or both |
| Modern folding fans come in many styles, and are | | | | hands, and do a box step. |
| made with ribs of wood or plastic topped with fabric, | | | | 11. Go to and search for "Fan dances" for ideas from |
| colored paper, or feathers. Some have lovely painted | | | | around the world. |