A code of fan gestures developed that sent messages. This signal language was published in contemporary etiquette books and magazines. Fanology or Ladies’ Conversation Fan was put together by Charles Francis Badini and published by William Cock in London in 1797. It contained a list of gestures paired with the message they conveyed, such as:
Placing your fan near your heart = I love you.
A closed fan resting on the right eye = When can I see you?
A half closed fan pressed to the lips = You may kiss me.
Touching the tip of the fan with a finger = I wish to speak to you.
Letting the fan rest on the right cheek = Yes.
Letting the fan rest on the left cheek = No.
Dropping the fan = We will be friends.
Fanning slowly = I am married.
Fanning quickly = I am engaged.
Carrying a open fan in the left hand = Come and talk to me.
Twirling the fan in the right hand = I love another.
Twirling the fan in the left hand = We are being watched.
Shutting a fully open fan slowly = I promise to marry you.
Drawing the fan across the eyes = I am sorry.
To open a fan wide = Wait for me.
A closed fan resting on the right eye = When can I see you?
A half closed fan pressed to the lips = You may kiss me.
Touching the tip of the fan with a finger = I wish to speak to you.
Letting the fan rest on the right cheek = Yes.
Letting the fan rest on the left cheek = No.
Dropping the fan = We will be friends.
Fanning slowly = I am married.
Fanning quickly = I am engaged.
Carrying a open fan in the left hand = Come and talk to me.
Twirling the fan in the right hand = I love another.
Twirling the fan in the left hand = We are being watched.
Shutting a fully open fan slowly = I promise to marry you.
Drawing the fan across the eyes = I am sorry.
To open a fan wide = Wait for me.
I got tis from doin research for my Contemporary History of Fashion individual assignment n i find tis quite interesting!
