Feather Fans feature a luxuriously soft, colorful, and fluffy leaf, which is made of the real or faux feathers of the ostrich, peacock, turkey marabou, goose, or chickens. They are normally delicate owing to the sensitive nature of feather but pose a spectacular beauty that spells luxury, frivolity, and sophisticated vintage style.
Feather fans bring a touch of fantasy or avian inspiration when put together in several pieces and can warrant head-turns as a fashion accessory. They are also a key element to the traditional Chinese feather fan dance, where they are used to represent the Chinese Phoenix, or Fenghuang, which is the symbol for high virtue, power, and prosperity.1
Feather Fans Features and FAQ
Our feather hand fans are made or real bird feathers, which are individually chosen for their fine quality and mounted with very little to no gaps on one or two sides of their plastic, wood, or bamboo ribs to ensure full coverage. They flaunt vivid colors, the iridescent shine of feathers – so the surface of a marabou feather fan, for example, exhibit a blend of light and dark hue, and are very soft and fluffy to touch. Also, these hand fans are usually lightweight, thus, combined with the delicateness of the feathers, may make you feel hesitant at first instance to wave them back-and-forth, because of their seemingly flimsy nature, but their exquisite craftsmanship tells you that you can wave them gently to enjoy a subtle breeze and savor a taste of luxury in a practical handicraft.
What are the Popular Styles and Uses of Feather Hand Fans?
Feather hand fans, especially Marabou Feather Fans and Ostrich Plume Fans, are available in a great variety and colors here on AsianIdeas, and they are typically used as:
Bridal feather fans of the modern brides;
Elegant wedding feather fans favor, especially of a 1920s wedding theme, vintage-themed wedding, fairy tale, or rustic wedding themes;
Feathered hand fans for Asian dances and theatrical performances;
Fashion feather fans for the ladies, especially as cooling accessory for evening celebrations; and,
Chinese or Japanese gift for special occasions.
How to Care for Feathered Fans?
Due to the very delicate nature of feathers, feathered fans are generally susceptible to irreparable damage and natural degradation. But with proper care, you can help your feather fan keep its natural beauty and last for a long time with the following tips:
Wave feather fan gently and avoid harsh handling to prevent their feather from falling or breaking.
Always protect feather fan from dust and remove surface dirt using a soft, natural-bristled brush.
Keep feathered fans away from extremely dry temperature or damp environment.
Store feather fan away from bright light and direct sunlight to protect their color from fading.
When not to be used for a long time, keep feathered fans inside a closed air-tight plastic box or case with mothball and silica gel to prevent the manifestation of insects, dusts, and frequent temperature changes.
Shop your feather fans cheap and wholesale here on AsianIdeas and make every lady want to be part of your bridal party with our fine selection of feather hand fans.
The Most Popular Types of Feather Fans
Turkey Marabou Feather Fans.
Turkey marabou feather fans are easily found as feather folding fans with translucent, often slightly bendable but not easy to break, plastic ribs. Approximately half of the length and both the front and back side of each of this feather hand fan's rib is covered with turkey marabou feathers, which are 1" to 3" long feathers with very fine and soft-textured barbs, thus even the gentlest breeze can easily make these barbs sway gracefully.
Turkey marabou hand fans fold and unfold easily and are available in pastel and vibrant hues. They require careful handling, especially when used as a cooling accessory while dining or seated on a banquet table, otherwise their very delicate barbs will fall easily, thus, they are perfect as supplemental cooling accessory for a slightly humid weather or as fashion feather fans, especially to match stylish garbs and formal special celebrations. Be sure to accompany each of your turkey marabou feather fan with a gift box that will help to protect their feathers when not in use.
Peacock Feather Fans.
Highly admired for the pristine beauty of peacock feathers, which flaunt a crescent sheen of bright blue and green and display thousands of glimmering colors when light strikes their surface, peacock fans are easily found as non-folding hand fans with layers upon layers of colorful peacock feathers, which are mounted on a flat, circular or semi-circular base, or simply secured at the tip by a long carved wood or metal handle. Elegant weddings and special occasions, especially which attempt to bring the lavish lifestyle and colorful inspirations of the Renaissance and Medieval periods and the Indian culture, are always a magical time for peacock fans.
Peacock feather fans can also be used as part of costumes, headdresses, and Asian decoration. It is also considered auspicious in the Asian culture to have peacock feathers, which are a symbol of good fortune and good life, and to stare at them early in the morning to remove bad luck and the negative chi.
Ostrich Plume Feather Fans.
Easily recognized for the ostrich feathers' long and full barbs with tips that hang down, ostrich plume feather fans typically take the natural off-white or brown color of the ostrich plumes, and sometimes, the latter are bleached and color-dyed in pastel hues to become perfect as accessories or decoration, especially for weddings. Ostrich plume feather fans are another favorite for weddings and often used as substitute to bridal bouquets because of their unconventional and stylish design.
History of Feather Hand Fans
Feather hand fans are considered a timeless tradition since as far as 3000 years ago. Having existed since the Shang (1600-1100 BC) and Zhou (1100-256 BC) Dynasties, feathered fans are known as the oldest type of hand fan in China. Up until the end of Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), having a feather fan was considered stylish and a status symbol among the literati and officials. By the 8th century, feathered fans became popular among the wealthy and peasant populations and were a common decoration for women.2
Throughout history, feather hand fans became more elaborate and many varieties in designs have been created.2 While they remain to be easily available, they are apparently reserved for the best occasions and typically matched with the finest garbs as a fashion accessory for women owing to their luxurious design.
