扇子在中國傳統文化中有著特別的含義。名貴的扇子多用檀香木(sandalwood)做扇骨(structure),絹或紙做扇面。扇子曾是中國女人的至愛。二十世紀三四十年代拍攝的老電影中,上海灘的女子幾乎人手一扇,扇子或許是女人用來表現優雅的最好的道具。男人也用扇子,其扇面的內容多為山水園林或名人題字等。借著這樣的扇子,男人展現的是身價和氣質(temperament)。
Fans have special meanings in traditional Chinese culture. In general, the structure of a valuable fan is made of sandalwood, and the face is made of silk or paper. Fans used to be a favorite item for Chinese women. In the old movies of the 1930s and 1940s, almost each woman of old Shanghai had a fan in their hand. Fans are probably the most appropriate expression of female elegance. Men also use fans, the faces of which are always painted with landscapes, gardens or inscriptions of the celebrities. With such fans, men show their social status and temperament.