Fans has been used by Chinese people to keep cool in summer for over 3000 years and is still popular in the rural areas. They are also used as artistic props in plays, dances and story telling and even home decorations (from the beginning of 18th century). There are four major types of fans: feather fan, Chinese-fan-palm-leaf fan, folding fan and silk fan.
Feather fans are believed to be the oldest type of Chinese fans. The feathers from eagles, magpies, cranes, kingfishers and peacocks have all served as feather material. In the Song Dynasty, the 156 peacock feather fans were displayed by a magnificent version with stylized double dragons and phoenixes. 

             Today, China’s feather fans are made mainly of goose feathers. Most are peach-shaped, consisting of about 40 feathers. On the snow-white surface of fans, different designs are made of gold and silver silk thread. Some include green peacock feathers as edging and may include a red velvet flower in the middle, presenting a gorgeous picture. 

             The Chinese-fan-palm-leaf fan has a history of 1500 years. It is cheaper and produces lots of cooling wind which makes it a popular favorite. Making a fan like this is a little complicated. First you need a light green Chinese-fan-palm-leaf with a stalk about 15 centimeters long. Let it sit for about 20 days, then wash it and dry it until it is the color of jade. Then you press it into shape and tailor it according to its size, then trim its edges with thread. 

             The silk fan is full-moon shaped and called the round fan. The frame is usually made of iron or bamboo slips. A peace of silk is stretched over the frame and is then decorated with colored drawings. It used to be popular among young ladies in the royal court and those in wealthy families. 

             The folding fans are the most popular in China. They came into use during the Song Dynasty about 700 years ago used by emperors and their ministers had ivory, sandalwood or mottled bamboo as the mount which was often carved with figures of birds, flowers, landscapes and even poems.