At home,Fans seem to have given way to electric fans and air-conditioners. However, in rural areas, the traditional fan is still a popular item. Beyond their practical use, they are still used as artistic props in plays, dances and story telling. The fine craftsmanship that goes into the making of fans also guarantees their place as art work in homes and pulic places. As its name suggests,feather fans are made of feathers.
Scholars believe it to be the oldest type of Chinese fan.
The feathers from eagles,magpies, cranes, kingfishers and peacocks have all served as feather fan material. Up to the end of the han dynasty about 1,800 years ago, holding a feathere fan was fash- ionable amongst the literati and officials. By the beginning of the eighth century, the feather fan had become a deccoration. The emperor at that time would flank himself with 156 peacock feather fans when he received homage from his ministers. He also sent white feather fans to his ministers to show his favor.