Day 333 -> The Language of the Fan

A lace fan (Image found on Google)

     Thanks to the unbelievable heat that seems to be always present in the town I live, I always wonder if I should buy myself a hand fan or not. After I discovered that it was used as a sort of a secret language in the 18th century, however, things got a little more interesting! So, as I know you're probably wondering which sign meant what in those days, here is a quick list!
    As most of us know, in that period the hand fan was both utilitarian as well as decorative. There were many kinds of fans, from the extremely plain paddle fans made from paper or wood, to the most ornate made of the finest silk and adorned with fine embroidery or painting. A lady was never seen in public without her fan, for it was not only used as a device for cooling oneself, but also as a means of discrete and quiet communication, as I said. What is most interesting (and romantic!) about it, though, is that both men and women understood the "language of the fan" and used it to communicate some very private sentiments while in the midst of some very public places.
     Some of the most commonly understood fan gestures were:

• A fan placed near the heart: "You have won my love."
• A closed fan touching the right eye: "When may I be allowed to see you?"
  

• The number of sticks shown answered the question: "At what hour?"

• Threatening gestures with a closed fan: "Do not be so imprudent"

• Half-opened fan pressed to the lips: "You may kiss me."

• Hands clasped together holding an open fan: "Forgive me."

• Covering the left ear with an open fan: "Do not betray our secret."

• Hiding the eyes behind an open fan: "I love you."

• Shutting a fully-opened fan slowly: "I promise to marry you."

• Drawing the fan across the eyes: "I am sorry."

• Touching the finger to the tip of the fan: "I wish to speak with you."

• Letting the fan rest on the right cheek: "Yes."

• Letting the fan rest on the left cheek: "No."

• Opening and closing the fan several times: "You are cruel"

• Dropping the fan: "We will be friends."

• Fanning slowly: "I am married."

• Fanning quickly: "I am engaged."

• Putting the fan handle to the lips: "Kiss me."

• Opening a fan wide: "Wait for me."

• Placing the fan behind the head: "Do not forget me"

• Placing the fan behind the head with finger extended: "Goodbye."

• Fan in right hand in front of face: "Follow me."

• Fan in left hand in front of face: "I am desirous of your acquaintance."

• Fan held over left ear: "I wish to get rid of you."

• Drawing the fan across the forehead: "You have changed."

• Twirling the fan in the left hand: "We are being watched."

• Twirling the fan in the right hand: "I love another."

• Carrying the open fan in the right hand: "You are too willing."

• Carrying the open fan in the left hand: "Come and talk to me."

• Drawing the fan through the hand: "I hate you!"

• Drawing the fan across the cheek: "I love you!"

• Presenting the fan shut: "Do you love me?"

     Now excuse me while I get a fan and become the weird girl with the fan in the next party.

~Ally