Feathered Imperial Fans

Feathered Imperial Fans

　　Feathered Imperial Fans

　　The ancient town of Chunxi lies cradled by the three lakes of Gucheng, Danyang, and Shiju. The lakes are thick with reeds and dotted with expansive shores, creating perfect breeding grounds for waterfowl. In ancient times, wild birds like wild geese, cormorants, and moorhens thrived in the area. When they soared, they blotted out the sun, and when they settled, they blanketed the land. Their feathers, vibrant and resplendent, were the finest material for crafting feather fans. As early as 1,800 years ago, during the winter off-season, farmers from the lakeside villages ventured into the marshes to hunt. They kept the meat for themselves and sold the plucked feathers in the markets. The old town’s main street, situated on higher ground encircled by the three lakes, naturally became a hub for making and selling feather fans.

　　The history of Gaochun feather fans stretches back centuries. Legend has it that over 1,700 years ago, during the Three Kingdoms period when the states of Wei, Shu, and Wu vied for dominance, Zhou Yu, a general under Sun Quan of Eastern Wu, was stationed in the western waters of the ancient Danyang Lake, in what is now western Gaochun. There, he drilled his naval forces and oversaw land reclamation and farming projects. He organized local residents into military-style units, combining garrison troops and civilian settlers. To encourage settlement, he even relocated his family to Xiangguo Weir (present-day Zhuangqiang), a fortress built during the Spring and Autumn Period. Zhou Yu married Xiao Qiao, the younger daughter of the noble Qiao Xuan. Xiao Qiao was said to be breathtakingly beautiful, with a charm so enchanting it could topple kingdoms and stun fish into sinking and birds into falling. Sun Quan’s mother, Lady Wu, adored Xiao Qiao and often visited Zhou Yu in Gaochun with her grandson. Together, they toured the scenic hills and waters, sometimes riding in palanquins to admire Flower Mountain and Showy Mountain, other times boating on the three lakes to take in the views. One summer, Lady Wu and Xiao Qiao visited Chunxi and noticed several local women engrossed in making feather fans. Lady Wu picked up a peach-shaped fan, gently fanning herself. A cool, soothing breeze brushed her face, instantly refreshing her. She exclaimed, “What a marvelous item to ward off mosquitoes and beat the heat!” She personally selected two fans—one pomegranate-shaped for Xiao Qiao, and one peach-shaped for herself. As the two strolled through the town holding their elegant fans, they appeared even more refined and graceful. From then on, every late spring and early summer, Lady Wu would send people to Gaochun to purchase 100 top-quality feather fans, which she distributed among nobles, officials, and royalty.　

　　Meanwhile, learning that Liu Bei had recently lost his wife Lady Gan and was planning to remarry, Zhou Yu advised Sun Quan to have his minister Lu Fan act as matchmaker, proposing that Liu Bei come to Eastern Wu to marry Sun Quan’s sister, Lady Sun Shangxiang. In truth, this was a plot to force Liu Bei to cede Jing Province. Once in Wu, Liu Bei followed Zhuge Liang’s clever strategy, making a grand spectacle of his presence. Everyone in the region soon knew that Liu Bei had arrived to wed. He also sought help from Qiao Xuan, who informed Lady Wu. Upon meeting Liu Bei, Lady Wu was impressed by his imperial bearing—his noble appearance, bright eyes, large ears, and long hands. She found him to be a virtuous and heroic figure, and readily agreed to the marriage, hosting a grand banquet to celebrate the union of Liu Bei and Lady Sun. Fearing assassination at the inn, Liu Bei asked Lady Wu for protection. She arranged for him to stay in the palace’s imperial study. Later, when Liu Bei and Lady Sun returned to Jing Province, Lady Sun brought along only a few premium feather fans purchased in Gaochun, leaving behind all other gifts.

　　　After returning to Jing Province, Liu Bei wanted to thank Zhuge Liang for his parting gifts and strategies. He had Lady Sun select a large, shovel-shaped feather fan adorned with carved pheasant feathers to present to Zhuge Liang. Upon receiving the fan, Zhuge Liang was delighted. He immediately replaced his old goose-feather fan, which he had used for years, with this exquisite Gaochun-crafted pheasant feather fan. With this fan in hand, he exuded the aura of a master strategist. He cherished it like a treasure, carrying it everywhere until his death at Wuzhang Plains. Even on his deathbed, the fan remained by his pillow. People began calling this type of fan the "Zhuge Fan," and revered Zhuge Liang as the patron of feather fans. Every year on the 23rd day of the seventh lunar month, the Feather Fan Guild held the "Zhuge Festival" to honor the legendary strategist. On this day, red lanterns hung at the festival entrance, displaying the inscription “Zhuge’s Central Army, Heavenly Pivot Prime Minister,” alongside a plaque reading “High Esteem in Nanyang.” Inside, an altar honored Zhuge Liang’s spirit, and every guild member burned incense and paid tribute. This tradition continued until the eve of the Liberation.

　　　Gaochun feather fans became tribute items during the Ming Dynasty’s Jiajing era, over 600 years ago. At the time, ambitious officials seeking favor and promotion would purchase high-quality carved pheasant feather fans each year around the Start of Summer to present to their superiors. These fans quickly gained fame in the capital and even entered the imperial palace, winning the hearts of the royal family. When Emperor Jiajing (Zhu Houcong) saw them, he was thoroughly impressed, praising, “What fine fans!” During a court session, he asked, “Where are these fans from?” A minister who had visited Gaochun stepped forward and replied, “Your Majesty, these fans come from Gaochun County in Yingtian Prefecture, crafted from precious carved pheasant feathers.” Pleased, the emperor promptly issued an imperial decree, designating Gaochun feather fans as official tribute items. Each year, before the Dragon Boat Festival on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, 360 feather fans of various styles had to be delivered to the court. Upon receiving the decree, Yingtian Prefecture wasted no time. Each year, officials were dispatched to Gaochun to supervise the selection of rare feathers—from eagles, hawks, cranes, wild geese, and ducks—and to oversee skilled artisans in meticulously crafting, designing, painting, and finishing the fans before the festival. The emperor also bestowed a yellow triangular silk banner inscribed with “By Imperial Order: Authorized to Procure Bird Feathers.” With this banner, merchants could cross checkpoints and customs duty-free without harassment. After delivering the tribute fans, participating shops were rewarded with 1,000 copper coins on the Winter Solstice of that year. This tribute system continued annually until the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty, when the Taiping Rebellion established Nanjing (then Tianjing) as its capital. The region came under Taiping control, and the system was eventually abolished.

　　　After being designated as imperial tribute, Gaochun’s feather fan industry flourished rapidly. By the late Ming and early Qing periods, a guild had been established. Under the guild’s unified management, on the 15th day of the third lunar month each year, all feather fan shops displayed sample products. Guild representatives inspected product standards, quality, and pricing. Shops producing superior fans were honored as “Tribute Shops” and permitted to produce that year’s tribute items. Guild rules were strict—no one could operate independently without approval, and even self-made products required guild consent to be sold.

　　　During the Republican era, as foreign merchants increasingly traded in China, Gaochun feather fans began entering international markets. In 1914, Gaochun feather fans were showcased at the Panama–Egypt International Exposition and were highly praised by foreign buyers. Four shops received awards. At the time, Gaochun feather fan craftsmanship was considered unparalleled in China, with over 80 varieties. Shapes ranged from full circle, half circle, sword, peach, pomegranate, Buddha’s hand, palm, heart, and vase. Feather types included carved pheasant, eagle, oriole, crane, wild goose, goose, and duck. Crafting a single high-end fan involved 60–70 steps, later streamlined to around 20. Between 1927 and 1931, production peaked, exceeding 100,000 fans annually. These were sold across major cities like Hangzhou, Huzhou, Ningbo, and Shaoxing in Zhejiang; Xuancheng, Anqing, and Wuhu in Anhui; and Shanghai. Major retailers like Sincere and Wing On in Shanghai exported them abroad. Production declined sharply after the 1937 Japanese invasion.

　　　After the Liberation, with support from the Communist Party and government, Gaochun’s feather fan industry expanded rapidly. Annual output soared from 400,000 pre-Liberation to 1 million fans, exported to 23 countries and regions including the Soviet Union, Canada, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. In 1951, to express gratitude, Gaochun fan makers crafted four large sword-shaped ivory-handled feather fans using premium carved pheasant feathers. These were gifted to Chairman Mao, Commander Zhu De, East China Military-Political Committee Chairman Rao Shushi, and South Jiangsu Administrative Office Director Guan Wenwei. Chairman Mao and Commander Zhu sent thanks along with a 20-yuan payment via the CCP Central Office.