Yuezhou Fan

Yuezhou Fan

Yuezhou Fan is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Yuezhou fans come in a wide variety of types, crafted with exquisite skill, beauty, and durability. There are currently over 200 varieties, mainly categorized into more than ten types including paper fans, feather fans, silk fans, bone fans, palace fans, hat fans, portable fans, folding sets, theatrical and dance fans, and sandalwood fans.

　　The Yuezhou feather fan is made from the feathers of noble birds such as swans, wild geese, eagles, and cranes around the Dongting Lake area. The feathers are cleaned, combed, and sorted, then intricately woven with silver threads into a myriad of colorful styles based on their shape, color, and texture. The fan ribs are carved with delicate patterns, while the fan surface is covered with red and green plush, and further sprayed with fragrance. When folded, it resembles a bouquet of flowers. When opened, it gives the sensation of “dancing without wind and fragrancing without flowers.” There are also palm-sized fans made from hawk feathers, featuring stiff yet flexible feather stems and fine, resilient feather strands, with jade handles and adorned with delicate jade pendants. These fans appear dignified and elegant, exuding an antique charm. They produce a gentle breeze, cool without being harsh to the body, making them especially popular among the elderly, new mothers, and children for relief from the summer heat.

　　Yueyang paper fans are also treasured works of art. Their ribs, made of bamboo, are smooth, lightweight, and intricately carved. There are folding sets consisting of five, eight, or fifteen fans. The fan surfaces are rich in imaginative design, drawing from a wide range of themes—landscape scenery, historical sites, flowers and birds, insects and fish, famous quotes, historical figures, and mythological legends. The vast and misty Dongting Lake, the picturesque Junshan Island, the magnificent Yueyang Tower, and the towering Cishi Pagoda are all vividly depicted on the fans. Bursting with vibrant colors, they are truly a feast for the eyes.