2010年9月26日星期日

Chinese classical Hairpin,best gift for women

Hairpin is used to decorate the hair,fix the hair, but we are always attracted by their refinement effects.A wonman loosely coils her long hair, inserts a unique hairpin in the hair,puts on an elegant dress, she becomes a stunningly attractive woman.Chinese classical hairpin has especial fascination,with it in the hair,the woman seems come out from a Chinese ancient drawing.It brings us a different feel.
The styles of hairpin are very rich, the mostly changes is the head of the hairpin. It has a variety of shapes, but also often uses flowers, birds, fish and insects and beasts as the head of the hairpin. Familiar shapes are plum blossom flower, lotus, chrysanthemum, peach blossom, peony and lotus flowers. There are also some shapes with animal as head of the hairpin, Familiar shapes are dragon, phoenix, unicorn, songbirds and fish, of which the most is phoenix hairpin, its production is most exquisite.
The hairpin also called "Qian." In feudal China, women inserting hairpin was sign of adult,it was a important and big events in life.It must hold a ceremony, known as the "hairpin rite." There are many forms of ancient hairpin, only class from the material, there are stone hairpin,wooden hairpin, hairpin bamboo, mussels hairpin, hosta, bone hairpins, copper hairpins,gold hairpins and others. In ancient China, men also used hairpins, and they pay more attention to practicability of hairpins. In the current auction market, the high price hairpin generally has both good materials and processes.
In the modern, hairpin is still popular in the minority, many ethnic minority women still like to wear many hairpin on full head.Manchu women often insert sliver hairpins, the shape is prolate, the hairpin have no pattern or have some flowers patterns. The women of Miao nationality roll the long hair on the top of head, and insert 7 or 8 pieces hairpins as ornaments.The bride of Li nationality insert 10 pieces hairpins, it appears simple,elegant, and nice.Today we can easy to see from materials, shapes, styles, technology features in all ethnic groups that the Chinese minority hairpins were inherited and developed from history of the style of nations, have strong regional characteristics and national characteristics .In addition to in many minorities,people think,hairpin can fix and decorate hair, but also it is as a sign of adult of men and women.The people in some minorities regard the hairpin as amulet,and want to get protection from god.
Now hairpin is keepsake tokens of love of some young men and women in some minorities . In Chinese New Year unmarried women in Yao and Zhuang often send their lover the hairpins as keepsake tokens of love.This is the most precious gift between men and women.After marriage, husband will return his wife the hairpin and at the same time insert by himself the hairpin to the hair of his wife, to pray and happiness life together. The meaning is always focused on nice wishes and it express the good pursuing
Today's hairpin are not more extravagant than the ancient, but actually it has rich cultural heritage and also fresh and stylish atmosphere. Today's hairpins follow the ancient culture, bright, simple and elegant.
You can choose your favourite types in the website http://chinaculturelover.com,they must bring happiness for your lover and yourself.The fine gift can show them your love and your heart better.

2010年9月23日星期四

Combing everyday with wooden combs,the way of long life


From ancient times till nowboth prominent noble and the civilian day and night all need the comb,
which not only can be used to comb the hair, it but also is healthful equipment, that is o beneficial
to health, fitness and skin.

There are many different types of combs, but wooden comb has unique health function. Plastic
comb easily produce static electricity,when man combs, it is very adverse for hair and hair root,
and negative for the growth and maintenance of hair. Wood comb does not produce such static electricity.Combing with wooden comb is very good treatment of diseases.It is useful for
treatment of dizziness, insomnia, high blood pressure,young white hair,alopecia, neurovascular headache, migraine and eye diseases.


As comb material, plastic is inappropriate. Herbalist doctor think, wooden combs, especially the boxwood combs are the best. If you want to get more extravagant, you can use the combs,that are made of horn or jade, and they are not just good for hair, it is also good for the health of the whole body.

Comb from the middle of the forehead with a wooden comb calvaria, occipital, and neck,the
strength is uniformity and slowly accelerate. Then comb the left and right side of forehead, at
first comb according to the direction of the hair,slightly move then faster as well, and then comb
against the direction of the hair, about 20 to 30 per minute, the once a day, every time 3 to 5
minutes. It can stimulate the nerve endings in the scalp and head points,regulate nervous system, promote blood circulation, eliminate fatigue and the promote hair growth, it is particularly suitable for headworker and women,who work in the office.

Bath with a soft brush to clean skin surface and hair can eliminate the aging of cells, the excreting
of sweat glands and sebaceous glands is unobstructed, promote skin blood circulation, enhance
resistance against disease , and can prevent some stubborn skin disease. After bath or shower
1 to 3 minutes, we begin to clean with a long-handled comb.Every time you will feel warm after bath, body and hair are comfort and refreshing.
Sending Combs means:
1.Missing. The other side miss you very much.
2. Love.In China in ancient times, men and women sent combs and meant,he or she want to grow old with you. Today, many places have the custom of sending combs in the seventh evening
of the seventh moon.
3. Best wishes.If family leave, combing hair means good bye.It contains both the best wishes
from families,they hope the man,who will leave ,will be safe and all right.
4. Affinity. Every day, combing the hair with the comb from him, also represents the close relation between his with you!
5. Health, happiness! Clean the bother away and open the heart!Because combing can bring people more energy and self-confidence !

You can choose your favourite types in the website https://chinaculturelover.com,they must
bring happiness for your family and friends.The Chinese gift can show them your love and your
heart better.

2010年9月10日星期五

Sold 1 Million in a month popular Chinese gift-paper cutting

Every time when we must prepare gifts, this question bothers us always,what I should send? Not too expensive, but fine,elegance and pleasing.Now we finally have a good choice, cheap but full of interesting works of art - paper cuttings.

Paper cutting is the most popular decorative Chinese traditional art. According to archaeological research it can be dated back to the sixth century AD, but people think the actual start time is even earlier than that for hundreds of years. Paper cuttings were commonly used in religious ceremonies, such as decorative and plastic arts.

Paper cuttings generally has the meaning of emblematize, is a part of this ceremony. In addition, paper cutting as offerings was also used for worship of ancestors and the decorations of god. The material is easy to get, the price not too high, widely used and generally popular,because its production most suitable for rural women in their leisure.It is practical thing, and can beautify the living. Paper cutting can be seen all over the country, and even formed different styles of genre. Paper cutting shows not only the aesthetic interest of the masses, and is one of the most characteristic Chinese folk arts and crafts.

Now paper cutting is most used as decoration. Paper cutting can be used for walls, windows, room, pillar, mirrors, lamps and lanterns, can also be used as gift.

Over the country,there are different styles and characteristics of paper cutting arts, ancient and simple paper cutting in Shanxi with its unique charm,is loved by the people. Mainly forms of paper cutting are window flowers, kang flowers, painting doors, curtain flowers, pillow flowers, table flowers, shoes flowers, wedding double happiness flowers, clothing and accessories flowers, shrine decals. Diverse and rich in content. The most common are window flowers. Every New Year, regardless of where the rural areas, people paste the white paper on the window,then paste red paper cutting on the the white paper,to celebrate New Year. The contents of Shaanxi window flowers, one comes into the tradition, anther one is close to life, close to reflect reality. There are characters, flowers, birds, fish, insects, beasts, legends and folk tales as the contents of paper cutting, with rigorous modeling and folk taste. Most of Shaanxi paper cuttings are from the hands of rural women.The paper cutting they created are full of earthy meanings, quaint folk feels and strong emotion, without the slightest affectation. One hand, they are influenced by the folk culture, on the other hand they carefully and deeply observe the life and use exert their wisdom,so the ordinary working people, use their hearts, hands,and rich imagination through the paper cuttings to express their feelings in the life and understanding of the beauties.
Paper cutting is plain, vivid, has strong free style, reflects the simplicity of working women in Northern, and their love of life. Now, Chinese paper cutting was chosen as the United Nations cultural heritage and are protected by people.
Beautiful paper cutting, just a few dollars, it is really worthy. Click http://chinaculturelover.com, you can immediately find this best gift for yourself or family.

2010年8月19日星期四

The categories of hand fans

Hand Fan is divided into two general categories:

1. flat fan (can not be folded) circular fan, palm-leaf fan, straw fans, feather fan, etc.
2. folding fan (can be freely opened) silk folding fan,paper folding fan, Sandalwood fan, etc.













Circular fan is also called "Court fan" or "Wan Shan." It is a round fan with handle. Before Song dynasty people called fan,which was round fan. Circular fan was invented by Chinese,and introduced to Japan. Circular fan is the early fan,but in China it always booms. In the boudoirs of young ladies, this fan is generally small, in addition to practical value, as well as decorative value. It is the ready-made canvas, a fan is a picture.If the handle is extended, it has more decorative effect, and becomes a fan of emperor’cortege. Most of the ancient silk Court fans were exquisite art. The basic shape of the silk court fan is round, but there are also many other shapes, such as hexagonal, octagonal, melon -shaped melon, banana leaf,and the leaf of phoenix tree, etc., There are many embroidered flowers, birds, fish and insects, landscapes, figures, and buddha on the fans.










Palm-leaf fan is widely used in China.It’s made of leaf of livistona chinensis. Livistona chinensis has upright branches, the leaves are round, look very beautiful. Palm leaves by cutting, drying, baking, knitting, sewing, embroidery,other processes can be made into palm baskets, palm pads, palm packages and palm-leaf fan.According to diverse technics and shapes, we divide palm-leaf fan into heart-shaped fan, glass fan, painted fan,embroidery fan, bamboo sheath fans etc. hundreds of varieties.







Feather fan is knitted with the feathers of peacocks, cranes, eagles, geeses, pheasants and other birds, it has a handle. It can not only introduces cool, decorate, and be used in dance,it is also the ancient Chinese court etiquette displays. Most of feather fan have 3 or 4 goose feathers, the head is pointed,the end is round and the whole shape likes a peach. Some handles are wooden, and some are goose feathers. Feather fan is light, the wind is gentle. The handle of peacock feather fan is ivory, the color is rich and beautiful, it is often used as dancing props. The characters of the feature fan are,feather is thin and flat, the wind is soft light, works is fine, style is beautiful, it is particularly suitable for the elderly, weak patients and pregnant women.







Some straw Fans are knitted into the shapes of pomegranate, peacock’s tail,it stretches on all sides.It’s united with straws, and known as the "series fan." Some straw fans are knitted with meshes,there is a cloth in the middle of fan,to make the mesches stand out by contrast,this fan is called "Zhahua fan." This fan is light, its pattern is stereoscopic.In the past it is bride’s dowry and gift.












Folding fan originated from Japan.In Northern Song dynasty, the folding fan as a tribute were introduced into China, but not yet widely used, to Ming and Qing dynasty became quite prosperous.It is easy to carry, can be opened and closed ,so it were popular among scholars. The handle are made of ivory, tortoiseshell, sandalwood and other precious materials,some skillful craftsmen carve on the handles,they become a valuable works of art.In Song dynasty people began to draw or write poems on the fans.The painting and calligraphy have wide range of topics, diversiform styles, though the fans are small, they can show us birds, fish, landscapes, characters, stories.It’s a special variety in chinese painting art.











Sandalwood fan is made of sandalwood, it’s often used by women, also known as “gentler fan”. Sandalwood, is also known as Zhan Tan, there is white sandalwood and red sandalwood,which have white and purple leathers, wood is very hard. The sandalwood fan has natural scent.People lightly shake the fan, can smell the fragrance in the air. It is saved many years, and still has fragrance.In summer people put it into the suitcase, to make resistant to damage by moths. The art of painting is the focus of sandalwood fans, the subject matters focus on flowers, birds and ladies. It is small and exquisite, gaudiness, refinement and full of decorative interest, endeared to women.

2010年8月18日星期三

Chinese fan culture

Chinese fan culture has rich cultural deposits,it is a part of chinese national culture, and closely relates to Buddhism and bamboo culture. China has always been known as the kingdom of fans. The main materials of fans is bamboo, wood, paper, ivory, tortoiseshell, jade, bird feather, palm leaves, betel leaves, straw, lepironia articulata.They can be made to a variety of different styles fans, which have refined structures and beautiful shapes. By craftsmen meticulously engraving, carving, burning, drilling or celebrities writing poems the fans have more artistic value.

Chinese fan culture originated in ancient times, Chinese ancestors in the fierce heat of summer have freely picked off leaves or bird feathers, through simple processing, used them on the face or head to shade the sun or induce wind, this is the fan’s source. Fans in China through thousands of years evolution they are developed into hundreds of styles fan’s family.In Qin and Han periods, a semicircular shape "Bian Mian" (the shape likes a single door) also called "Hu fan" was mainstream,with this fan people could conceal face and at the same tim peek ohters. "Bian Mian" was made of thin bamboo strips, from the emperor to civilian population all people use it.  

Fans originated in China and have over 3,000 years of history. First fan appeared in the Yin dynasty, was made of colorful pheasant hairs, called "Zhang Fan".So there is a "feather" word in the Chinese "fan" word. At that time, fans were not used to take cold, but emperors used to avoid sand and the sun when they went out. After the Western Han Dynasty, fans began to be used to get cold.In Three Kingdoms, Zhuge Liang rocked goose feather fan, thinking out good ideas and strategizing. In Eastern Han Dynasty, the most materials of fans were changed,the silk, thin silk and damask silk took the place of bird feathers, it’s easy to embroider and draw on the silk fabrics. The moon-shaped fan is known as the "Wan Shan" or " Court fan", also known as "He Huan fan." At that time fans had different shapes: a long round, sunflower, club, hexagonal; the handles were wood, bamboo, bone; ornaments were fan’s fallings, tassels, jades and fringes.Beautiful landscape and flowers were often embroidered on the fans.The ladies in the boudoirs handing fans, looked quiet,elegant,gracious,and graceful.   

The first time painting and writing poems on the fan was in the three countries. Zhang Yan Yuan’s book"Ancient Paintings" records this story.The Book "Jin dynasty-- Wang Xizhi Biography" has a story,Wang Xizhi is a famous calligrapher in Jin Dynasty. At that time, a old woman sold fans,there was nothing on the fans,and the price was 12 wen.The old woman asked Wang Xi Zhi to write on the fans.Wang Xi Zhi wrote only 5 words,the price of fans rose to 100 wen. Now in south of Shaoxing, Zhejiang province there is a "Writing Fan Bridge", according to legend it is the place,where Wang Xizhi wrote the words.

2010年8月11日星期三

Cucurbit flute-Chinese Hulusi












The cucurbit flute ((also known as Hulusi) is a unique musical instrument of ethnic minorities in Yunnan province. It's mainly in western Yunnan, in the Blang, De'ang and other ethnic minorities are very popular. Dai people are versatile, able to sing and dance. In the festival, when rowing dragon boats or putting ''Gaosheng"(a kind of rocket ,made of bamboo)in the river, or going to market in the square, or in drinking feast in the bamboo house , touching music can often be heard. 
A small gourd as a speaker for the cucurbit flute, three different lengths bamboo tubes abreast insert at the bottom of gourd with sheet copper. The middle longest bamboo tube has seven holes. When playing gourd you blow the small end of the gourd and press these holes, the melody comes out,at the same time, the two bamboo tubes also emit fixed tones, they form summation tone together. The music is soft ,delicate, mellow, rustic, and very expressive, deeply loved by the people of Yunnan, whether in public performance, or the professional performance we can hear its beautiful voice. In recent years,it attract widespread attention at home and abroad.The cucurbit flute is played with some modern electronic musical instruments,then can show people the perfect combination of two instruments, present a kind of classic and modern new combination,bring people wonderful experience.
The cucurbit flute has a long history, its origins can be traced back to pre-Qin period, it was transformed from the gourd Sheng. Its structure is still maintained the ancient structure ,the flute tubes number is the same with the three of flute,the two Vice-tubes sound hole also as the same as the ancient flute. But it has 7 opened sound holes, it's similar to the later Xiao , they show it is a big leap in the history. 

There is a folklore in the Dai nationality: Long ago,the mountain torrents broke out, a young man of Dai nationality picked up a large gourd to put it in the river, broke through the stormy river and rescued his sweetheart, his faithful love moved the Buddha, the Buddha fitted the gourd with tubes, the young man blowed a wonderful music, and calmed the mountain torrents, he saved all people and restored his hometown. From then on cucurbit flute was passed down from generation to generation in the Dai people

2010年8月9日星期一

Tiger-head shoes
















Tiger-head shoes are kind of children's shoes.Because theirs toes like tiger head,so called tiger-head shoes. In the fifties and sixties of last century,the tiger-head shoes were especially popular in China. Tiger is a mascot, the parents embroider tiger head on the surface of shoes with wishes for children. They hope children looking dignified and strong.And they think, the figure of tiger is a protection against evil,which can protect children from different disasters.

In the New Year to parents buy new clothes for children.In the past wearing tiger-head hats and tiger-head shoes is children’s most popular costume. Almost every child had to wear tiger-head hat and tiger-head shoes. And then, whether in the countryside or city, the stay-at-home women all could make the tiger-head hats and tiger-head shoes. Before the children’s birth, mother, grandmother have already finished caps and shoes and prepared for children.After 100 days of baby's birth, the female relatives should send child the tiger-head shoes and caps as gifts.Boys must wear in red,that means " he’ll not meet disaster, be an official after grown up." Girls are in green, known as "green lady", and expected in the future to be phoenix.

The tiger-head shoes for the most of the people,who live in the central plains region in China, are very familiar.The children in one to wear year-old in large area still wear these shoes."Tiger Head Shoes" are also called "Cat shoes".
The workmanship of the tiger-head shoes is very complex , only the tiger's head need needlework ,jacquard and many other stitch modes. The basic colors on the surface are red, yellow. The mouth, eyebrows, nose, eyes of the tiger are broad-brush, by this way to represent the tiger is exaggerated. Making this shoe, the cony hairs are also used, which are bound at the edge of the ears and the eyes of the tige, red, yellow, white interlace, outline is clear.When children wearing tiger-head shoes, the cony hairs flutter in the wind, the tiger's head looks lively.
About one year old children begin to wear tiger-head shoes . At this time children were eager to walk, but still need the help from adults. So parents wear their children tiger-head shoes, good for their feet on the ground. What's the most important reason is they think the tiger is the king of beasts, the tiger-head shoes can bring children security and peace, and protect their children from disaster.The soft sole of the shoes make for the health of children.

They bring family fun and happiness. They have not only practical value but also aesthetic value, at he same time they are also mascots.

How to select a good Flute

The Flute is widespread wind instrument, because it is made of natural bamboo, it is also known as "bamboo flute."The flute is blown woodwind with holes and flute membrane,it is a typical Chinese traditional musical instruments.Tradition says that , the bamboo flute has been more than two thousand years of history.The flute is strikingly expressive musical instrument,can be played out with staccato of sound, tremolo, and portamento and different representation of timbre; also express different emotions.It is played whether soothing, peaceful melodies or play short, jumping melodies, man can grasp its unique feature.In addition,with flute man can also imitating the sounds of nature, bring the audience into a wonderful world, that has singing birds and fragrant flowers.
A bamboo flute made from a section of bamboo tube,man dispose of the inside bamboo joins, drill in the body a blow hole, a film hole, six sound holes. Blow Hole is the first hole of the flute, the air thus be blown into the flute,and let the air in he tube oscillate and then sound. The film hole is the second hole, for flute diaphragm.The most of flute diaphragm are made of diaphragm of reed or bamboo, by air vibration on the flute diaphragm, crisp and mellow tones come out.
  
To select flute, man should consider the quality and type. The quality of the flute depends on not only the flute material, but also the level of production standards. When man chooses flute, should test as follows: 1, The material is solid bamboo (bamboo pattern old),fine bamboo pattern. The tube body is straight, round. Flute's head generally should be a little bigger than the end, but the difference is not too large. The thickness of the flute pipe is moderate. Flute pipe wall is smooth. Body is not damaged by worms, ruptured,the shape is beautiful .These requirements can be identified by sight. 2 Flute pitch inspection. The flute is blown in accordance with the school or fixed audio equipment. The principal tone is confirmed, then according to the connection of tones exactly test the other tones .You can also blow various overtones, it is easy to find if the sound is out of tune or if the sound is clean. Testing overtone is really a good way to tone pitch. 3, Test the volume of flute. In general, it's good,if the volume is large. Large volume of flute has great resonance, and strong vibration. When playing,you can feel your fingers sometimes numb. 4, Test the flute sound. The general requirements of the sound is loose, thick, round, bright, in this regard it depends on not only the quality of the flute, the technique of pasting flute diaphragm, but also the performance skills. 5, Test the sensitivity of the flute. In general,as soon as the flute is blown,sound should quickly come out, the reaction sooner the better. 6, In general, the beginners should use, E or F flute tone. Because it is easier to play the flute pitch , and they are also commonly used to playing. If you would like to select a few pieces of the flute, then in addition to E F flute tones tune , D and a G tone tune are also good choice,they are also commonly used.

2010年8月6日星期五

The Character of Chinese Zodiac

The Chinese Zodiac is derived from 11 kinds of animals in the nature, that are rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, pig, and the formed in the legendary dragon
Since the concept of Zodiac has arisen in folk,people think the Zodiac impact person's life greatly. At the same time,they think the Zodiac relate to the character of person.Even if the persons, who have the same Zodiac,theirs personality, destiny will be different as the hours of birth are different.
1. Rat
Chinese Zodiac Character: gentle, honest, simple, intuitive and quickly to judge, capable
Year of birth:
1948、1960、1972、1984、1996、2008、2020












2. Ox
Chinese Zodiac Character: Quiet, honest, simple, not good at camouflage, patient, diligent, struggling, inflexible ,good at thinking and opinionated
Year of birth:
1949、1961、1973、1985、1997、2009、2021











3. Tiger
Chinese Zodiac Character:sense of justice, reasonable ,women have an iron hand in a velvet glove, men are opposite, with the organizational skills and a revolutionary and pioneer spirit, public-spirited.
Year of birth:
1938、1950、1962、1974、1986、1998、2010












4. Rabbit
Chinese Zodiac Character: optimist, happy, do not want to be bound,long for freedom go ahead for the pursuit of ideals, follow the new trend, very sensitive.
Year of birth:
1939、1951 、1963、1975、1987、1999、2011











5. Snake
Chinese Zodiac Character: thorough elaborative faculty, forge ahead dauntlessly after adopting a definite purpose , with high intelligence, aesthetic sense, an artistic genius.
Year of birth:
1941、1953 、1965、1977、1989、2001、2013










6. Horse,
Chinese Zodiac Character: forthright, lively,honest,good at reason, a quick mind, wit, frank, and good oratorical skills, easy to go to extremes, a hothead, willful people.
Year of birth:
1942、1954 、1966、1978、1990、2002、2014











7. Sheep,
Chinese Zodiac Character: soft and steady, emotional,perseverant, appearance soft but heart firm,with strong spirit of resistance, fine of thinking and very excellent defensive instincts.
Year of birth:
1943、1955 、1967、1979、1991、2003、2015











8. Monkey,
Chinese Zodiac Character:humorous, witty, lively, popular, nimble, confident, open, good at imitation,generous character
Year of birth:
1944、1956、1968、1980、1992、2004、2016











9. Rooster,
Chinese Zodiac Character:strong performance, ability to note the details of things, gentle, modest and prudent, strong economic concepts, but love to enjoyment, can not resist temptation of the opposite sex.
Year of birth:
1945、1957、1969、1981、1993、2005、2017











10. Dog,
Chinese Zodiac Character: honest,obey the rules, responsible,respect elders, earnestly work , have self-concept, lack of the ability of accommodation ,strong consciousness.
Year of birth:
1946、1958、1970、1982、1994、2006、2018











11. Pig
Chinese Zodiac Character: like justice and truth, innocent, strict with oneself, lack of resourceful capabilities, strong economic concept, usually quiet, arbitrary.
Year of birth:
1947、1959、1971、1983、1995、2007、2019










12. Dragon
Chinese Zodiac Character: good character, stouthearted, passional, upward mobility,smart, intelligent, but lack of thoughtful patience, often give up halfway, the appearance of indifference, but in fact always considerate of others.
Year of birth:
1940、1952、1964、1976、1988、2000、2012

2010年7月28日星期三

History of the Chinese Fan Dance

The Chinese fan and its accompanying dance are cultural staples to this day. Representing skill, beauty and tradition, the Chinese Fan Dance has a long and treasured history in China.

Significance
Many Chinese fan dances began as ceremonial rituals, and while the traditional dance movements haven't changed, the uses of the dance have. Fan dances are currently a representation of beauty, grace, skill, tradition and history. Fan dances can still be used at ceremonies and Chinese celebrations (such as the Chinese New Year) and have even transformed into unique modern workouts.
The Fan
The history of the Chinese fan dates back approximately 4,000 years. It was originally used as shelter from the sun and a shield to blowing sand. Since its beginning, hundreds of types of fans have developed, including folding, feather and silk. China, known as "the kingdom of fans," has historically sold its product to Japan, Europe and the Americas. The fans were, and still are, created using materials such as bamboo, ivory, jade, bird feathers, plant leaves and various others.
Dance
The history of Chinese dance can be traced back to the fourth millennium B.C. with the Neolithic Yangshao culture. About three millennium later, the Chinese developed two types of dance, those being civilian and military. To this day, every aboriginal or minority group in China has its own form of dancing.
Types
There are at least three types of Chinese dance. Traditional Chinese dance includes numerous fan dances, as well as a sword dance and dragon dance. Chinese folk dance involves the dances of minority and aboriginal Chinese groups. Chinese modern dance is an art form involving live music and movement.
Facts
The Chinese word for dance is "ou." Chinese dance became ritual in ceremonies around 2255 B.C. with the help of Emperor Shun. Chinese dance tends to focus on hand posture, having obvious masculine and feminine dance .

Fan dance --the West




A fan dance is a dance performed with one or more fans. This form has been adapted in various countries. The Korean fan dance, for example, evolved from Joseon Dynasty court dances and remains a popular form of traditional Korean dance. The Spanish or Portuguese flamenco makes dramatic use of fans. There also exists a form of fan dance in traditional Yu'pik culture in western Alaska; it bears little resemblance to the other forms represented herein.
In the West, a fan dance is often an erotic dance performance, traditionally by a woman. The performer, either entirely nude or apparently so, dances while moving two large fans, typically constructed from ostrich feathers. The essence of the choreography is suggestion, limiting the parts of the body exposed to the audience while focusing attention on illusions of exposure. Performers often evoke illusions of:
having already seen what had never been exposed, not being able to shift one's gaze fast enough to see what seems surely to be presently exposed, or being aware of currently "seeing" what in fact is not exposed to be seen. A fan dance can be viewed for erotic stimulation, aesthetic appreciation of grace and beauty, and for simple amazement of the skill of the illusion.
As of 2004, no fan dancer has been more famous than Sally Rand, who popularized it in the 1930s, remained the symbol of it throughout the middle of the 20th century, and continued to perform it beyond the age of 70.
In the UK, the fan dance has been used in the finals of the Miss Nude UK 2000 competition and in The Windmill in Soho where it replaced the tradition of nude tableaux and has since been replaced by table dancing. There have been claims that the latter has exclusive rights to it although it has also been seen at the Whitehall Theatre.

Archaian Chinese belles with fan-shaped headdress

In Chinese teleplays we often see many belles with fan-shaped headdress,now I show some for you.



1. A beautiful girl


















2. This is silk fan,a little expensive




















3. A gorgeous headdress
















4. Small fans,can you see them?

















5. Gentlewoman















6. It’s the King in the fans,so big and made of peacock feather.

Origin of the hand fan




The origin of this common and special artifact is quite uncertain. It can be assumed that the origin of the fan can be found in prehistoric times, when humans discover fire and use any kind of object to blow air and keep it alive.

Thanks to artistic representations of this object, we know that fans were used by Egyptians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks and Romans.

From Egypt, the oldest known representation its in the head of a ceremonial hammer that can be seen at the Asmolean Museum of Oxford. It belonged to "Narmer", that around 3000 b.C. and for the first time united high and low Egypt. This representation shows a group of royal servants, two of them are slaves carrying fans.

Egyptian fans were big, fixed, and semicircular shaped, made with feathers and with long handles. Their function was double: blowing air and scaring away insects.

As time passed by, fans become an ornamental object with a distinctive meaning.

Other artistic representations on which fans appear can be found on the Beni-Hasan tombs, from the XII Th dynasty (1791 - 1796 b.C.), Rameseo sculptural works (XIX Th dynasty) and mural paintings of Medinet-Habu (XX Th dynasty).

Greeks and Romans used fans, a proof of that fact are the many literary quotes from diverse classic authors. For instance, Euripides on his Hellenic tragedy tells about an eunuch that fans Menelao's wife while she sleeps with the aim of insects not to disturb her. Other authors that mention the fan are: Menandro, Ovidio, Tibulo or Propercio on their works.

Greeks had fans of several kinds: the "miosoba", the "ripis" ans the "psigma". Romans had some kind of fans as well. "Flabellum" was the name for the most common one and "muscaria" was the fan used to scare flies.

China's centennial fan tradition starts at Emperor Hsien Yuan's time (about 2697 b.C.). A legend claims that the invention of the fan belongs to the daughter of Kan-Si. The story tells that during a mask ball and to avoid heat, she shacked very fast her mask very close to her face, so male guests could not recognize her. Her gesture was imitated by the rest of the ladies attending to the ball.

Some authors declare that the earliest archaeological proof of the existence of the fan belongs to the VIII Th century for the fixed fan in China and to the IX century for the folding fan in Japan.

In Occident, during middle Ages, the fan or "flabellum" was used during the Christian liturgy to avoid insects and refresh the believers. After the XIV Th century the flabellum fall into disuse in the roman church (except solemn masses and processions until it finally disappears after Vatican Council II), despite of this, its use was kept in Greek churches and Armenia where it was named "Rhipidion".

The fan was also known by Aztecs and Incas. Between the gifts given to Hernan Cortés by Moctezuma six feather fans were included.

In Spain the earliest references about the fan appear at the chronicles of Pedro the first of Aragón (XIV Th century). Another references of this object appear at the inventory of goods of the painter Bartolomé Abella (1429), the inventory of Prince of Viana, and the inventory of Juana the Queen in 1565 (known as Juana the madness). The fans described were semicircular fixed ones.

A feather fan was included in the gifts given by Christopher Columbus to the Catholic Queen Elisabeth after his first trip to America.




Wedding Hand Fans

The use of wedding hand fans are becoming a very popular accessories for many bride's big day. In fact brides are breaking the tradition and are replacing the traditional wedding bouquet of the brides and bride’s maids to the hand fan.

The fans have been such a common accessory for weddings because of the latest fashion trend in "Victorian" and "Vintage" looks and feeling. To follow this trends many brides have opt for a wedding gown with has lots of lace, ribbons, silk and sheer material. Instead of a wedding bouquet the fan was seen as a prefect match for these gown.


The hand fans have always been seen as an elegant fashion accessory for ladies ever since it was developed throughout the European countries. The fan was able to enhance the beauty of the user and to also add a touch of mystery. It was perfect match for any brides wedding day.

As hand fans can be used a part of the bridal party's accessory, it can so be given as a gift for your guests who attends the weddings. It is a great way to say "thank you" and to provide them will something memorable about your wedding.

Wedding fans for such purpose can be custom made to the styles and design to match the theme of a wedding. It can be made out of lace, silk, wood or paper. It can be shaped to your liking and be painted or printed with almost anything.

Spanish Hand Fans

The Hand fans represent one of the most distinct cultures of Spain. Especially in the Basques speaking regions, whose origins are lost in time and the people of Andalucia whose way of life draws heavily from the Middle East . It was understood that traders brought hand fans back from China to the Middle East
during early stages. As the Andalucia people life draws heavily from them the use of fan followed.

In contrast with the Basques of Northern Spain, the culture of Andalucia was shaped by the Moors of North Africa who crossed over to Spain during the 711 A.D. In one generation most of them intermarried with the native Spaniards. They brought with them a protective view that their wives and daughters: the women in the families were to be beautiful, discreet, and private. The hand fan, or also known by the Spanish people as 'abanico', was a perfect complement. The fan was just the right thing to provide a sense of privacy, mystery, and allure, while providing relief from the baking hot summers of Southern Spain .

During the 1400's, the Spanish people appreciated the feeling when seeing dark haired beauties gracing at the Spring Fairs of the Provinces of Granada, and Sevilla, dancing either the popular "Sevillana" or the intense and exotic "Flamenco" flashing fan in their hand.

Fans produced in Spain comes in countless sizes and designs. The cost of fans varies to the proportion to the fan size, the kind of material used as a frame (wood, metal or plastic), the type, and quality of the fabric used as webbing, and the complexity of the decoration. There are large selections of fans which are crafted on carved pear wood, with delicate cloth webbing that are hand painted with traditional designs.

Today hand fans are still used by many Spanish ladies during their hot summer as a mean of keeping cool. Also, the uses of the fans during dancing are still very popular.