Hand Held Fans

Different Types Of Hand Held Fans

Hand held fans have long been an instrument to make people more comfortable as it helps fight off the humidity especially during the hot days of summer. It is handy and portable which makes it perfect for fast relief from the heat. Back in the day , the hand held fan once became an important accessory particularly for the ladies.

Major classifications

The hand held fan is known for its functionality and portability but not many know that there are many types of fans that have been made all throughout the course of history. Categorically, hand held fan types can be classified into two. The first is the flat fan. Typically, hand held fans that are fashioned cannot be folded into a compact size as they are made from materials that are not meant to be flexible or bent like card board or straw.

The folding fan on the other hand is probably the most common type of hand held fans that are still very popular today. These fans are usually made from soft materials like fabric or paper and are pleated to allow folding into a much more compact size. Many people prefer these types of fan as they can easily be carried and stored in bags and purses.

Different types according to materials

One of the most distinguishing factors of classifying hand held fans are the materials used for making them. Fans from different countries as well as different eras are made from many different materials. Some of the most commonly used are:

Paper

The first hand held fans were created out of paper as these are materials that are easy to mold and shape. Because the material is very thin and flexible, paper hand held fans are usually stretched tightly over bamboo frames to add support to the body.

Cloth

This is the most common material that is used in making hand held fans nowadays. Aside from the fact that it is easy to shape and mold, it is also sturdy as it does not easily rip and can endure the wear and tear of frequent use.

Feather

Back in the days, hand held fans that were made with feathers were only used by the rich and wealthy. This is a material that was once very expensive because typically, feathered hand held fans use the feathers from exotic birds like peacocks and ostriches. But nowadays, those who create fans out of this material uses faux feather to make it less costly and animal friendly as well.

Sandalwood

The sandalwood hand held fan is also a very popular type of fan. This type of fan has very intricate designs that are crafted on the wood itself. in addition to this, sandalwood gives off a nice aroma that one may smell while fanning.

Fans from different countries

In some countries, particularly in Asia, the hand held fan is identified as part of their culture. The Japanese fan for instance, is made from paper materials that are usually hand painted to depict the beauty of their landscapes. They were also used as essentials in the field of performing arts and were once regarded as a handy weapon for the best of their warriors.

The Japanese fans have been the inspiration for the Chinese hand held fans. However, instead of paper, they used silk fabric which gives a very delicate feel for their fans. They were likewise hand painted with flowers and proverbs and were also used as part of festivities.

The influence of hand held fans transcended from Asia all the way across Europe. Folded hand held fans became popular among the women of high stature. Commonly, European hand held fans are made from posh fabrics and have intricate designs.

Modern fan

Nowadays, a more modern fan has been gaining popularity; these are battery operated hand held fans. The design is very different from the conventional fan types. It looks more like a regular electric fan except it is smaller and is operated with the use of batteries.