Once upon a time, women (were they called women back then, or were they ladies?) carried fans, and they used the fans to communicate silently with their lovers. Of course, since everyone knew the language of the fan, the maessage wasn’t exactly a secret. Still, the language has its uses, most particularly for writers of historical romance. So, for your edification, here it is:
With the handle to the lips: Kiss me
Carrying in the right hand: Desirous of making acquaintance
Carrying in the right hand in front of the face: Follow me
Placing on left ear: You have changed
Twirling in left hand: I wish to get rid of you
Drawing across forehead: We are watched
Carrying in right hand: You are too willing
Drawing across cheek: I love you
Drawing through hand: I hate you
Twirling in right hand: I love another
Closing the fan: I wish to speak to you
Drawing across eyes: I am sorry
Letting it rest on right cheek: Yes
Letting it rest on left cheek: No
Open and shut: You are cruel
Dropping: We are friends
Fanning slowly: I am married
Fanning fast: I am engaged
Open wide: Wait for me
Could make for an interesting story. A lady is desperately in love with a gent and he with her. However, the ballroom is hot, and she feels faint, so she starts fanning herself. Her swain sees what she is doing and disconsolately leaves, thinking that the lady belongs to another. Because she is hidden behind the fan, she doesn’t see him, and so she never knows what happened to him. Hmmm. Maybe I better stick to thrillers or mysteries or whatever it is that I write.









December 20, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Nice reference guide for any kind of historical research.
December 20, 2009 at 9:34 pm
I am definitely bookmarking this post. As an author of Regency romance, this quick reference will come in handy. Thanks for posting it! 🙂
December 21, 2009 at 12:05 pm
That was fascinating! I’ll be checking in the movies now to see if they get it right.
December 21, 2009 at 3:04 pm
I’m sending this to some historical writer friends. Thanks. This was interesting.