I love research because I will invariably learn something new aside from what I'm looking for. I love fans. I have several and use them on occasion. I didn’t know until that day that there is a widely accepted fan language, the origin of which is still debated. The most widely accepted answer is it evolved during the Victorian era when fans, like gloves and parasols, were used to reveal secret messages. Society ladies in the 18^th and 19th century were expected to know the correct way to handle a fan to distinguish themselves from other social stations. Perhaps this expectation aided in its origin.

Secret language aside, fans have been around for over a thousand years as ceremonial objects and ones to keep cool. The first hand-held fan appeared in Europe around 1600, when it first gained popularity as a flirtation device. Fans were also a popular party game in the 19^th century called Fanology. These ornate fans had questions and answers as well as examples of how to converse at parties with various gestures. By skillful manipulation of her fan, a lady could engage in an entire conversation without ever speaking a single word. During a time of rigid social etiquette, this secret language allowed women the freedom to express themselves in a socially acceptable manner.

 The unromantic truth is fan etiquette was invented by a French fan maker in 1827 to boost declining sales. Personally, I prefer the romantic version.

If you’re a Bridgerton fan like me, then you saw fans being used at different times during the series. As I watched, I thought the ladies were elegant, discreetly using beautiful fans to hide a smile or lightly fan themselves while talking. Little did I know a very different conversation was happening, one the male counterpart may or may not have understood completely, but nonetheless, remained enthralled.

Fan language is pretty specific. For example: If your fan is open, displaying a number of sticks, you are asking "At what hour?" If it is shut over your right eye, you mean: "When may I be allowed to see you. A closed fan hanging on your right hand means "I am engaged." Twirling it in your left hand means "We are being watched". Letting it rest on your right cheek means "Yes" and your left cheek means "No".

I must admit, I find this language fascinating, though I have yet to master the art. I will continue to be a diligent student so the next time I draw out my fan, I don't inadvertently send the wrong message.