Historically, it has served a decorative, cooling and even communicative function. One of the reasons it has survived in Spanish culture to this day is because of flamenco. The fan, as it is referred to, is a non-obvious souvenir from Andalusia.
Asian roots
The exact origin of the fan is unknown. What is known is that it became very popular in China and Japan in the 8th and 9th centuries. According to Japanese legend, it was invented by a local craftsman who was inspired by the movement of a bat’s wings.
The first mention of the presence of the abanico, or fan in Polish, in Spain comes from a 14th-century chronicle. It is described there as an attribute of members of the royal court. The golden age of the fan on the Iberian Peninsula is considered to be the 18th century AD. Brought from the East, the accessory then became a permanent part of Spanish culture. Wooden fans predominated, although the aristocracy also used those with ivory elements.
The answer to the question of why the fan culture flourished in Spain and not, for example, in Slavic countries, is simple: because of the weather. Fanning helped to survive the hot months. For the same reason, the invention brought to Europe was adopted by the upper classes in Italy and France. Only that in both of these countries the fan culture died, in Spain it has survived to this day.
The abanico is closely linked to another element of Spanish tradition – the famous flamenco dance. The dancers treat it not only as a decoration, but also as an important part of the whole arrangement. The movements of the fan give the whole thing a mysterious, temperamental and southern feel.
Language hidden in the fan
The communicative function of the fan goes far beyond the flamenco scene. In the Andalusian tradition, a hidden 'language’ developed – by means of movements with this object, women conveyed various messages to men. Accelerated fanning meant 'I love you’.
On the other hand, fanning slowly while maintaining eye contact was a signal of refusal. Hitting an object with a fan was meant to demonstrate impatience. Hiding one’s face behind it was a form of encouragement to flirt. Giving the fan to a neighbour or mother signalled that a woman’s relationship was coming to an end.
Today, few Andalusians would understand these gestures, but fans can still be spotted on the streets. They are especially abundant during the ferias, or festivals organised to celebrate the arrival of spring. The biggest such event is Seville’s Feria de Abril in April. Malaga and Marbella also have their own ferias.
Fans can be bought in virtually any Andalusian shop selling local souvenirs. However, we recommend looking for them in small artisan workshops specialising in making them. There you will get fans made and painted by hand. You can buy a good quality abanico for as little as €50, but the really nice ones, embroidered and richly decorated, cost at least twice as much.
