A Canvas for Art: For centuries, the fan has served as a unique medium for 书画 (shūhuà) - calligraphy and painting. Scholars, artists, and even emperors would paint landscapes, birds, or flowers and inscribe poetry onto fans. A fan was a personal statement and a piece of portable art, much like a curated phone case or social media profile is today. Owning a fan with artwork from a famous master was a mark of high status and refined taste.
Symbol of the Scholar: The image of a calm, thoughtful scholar gently waving a folding fan is a powerful stereotype in Chinese literature and history. The most famous example is the strategist Zhuge Liang from the Three Kingdoms period, who is almost never depicted without his feather fan. In this context, the 扇子 symbolizes wisdom, composure, and intellectual prowess. It suggests a person who is above the heat and panic of the moment, always in control.
Comparison to Western Culture: In the West, particularly in Europe, the hand fan had its heyday as a fashion accessory for aristocratic women, often used for coquettish signaling and flirtation. While it also denoted status, its role was largely confined to the social sphere of women. The Chinese 扇子, however, was a prominent accessory for men, especially the intellectual class. Its association with scholarship, art, and male intellect gives it a different cultural flavor, closer to how a Western gentleman might have carried a distinguished walking cane or pocket watch.