羽扇

yǔshàn
Meaning: feather fan

📚 Word Explanation

羽扇 (yǔshàn)

A yǔshàn (feather fan) is a traditional Chinese hand fan made from bird feathers—most commonly from pheasants, peacocks, or cranes—mounted on a slender handle. The character means 'feather' and refers to the plumage of birds, while shàn means 'fan', indicating its function as a cooling or ceremonial object. Together, they form a compound noun specifying the material and purpose.

Historically, the feather fan symbolized elegance, scholarly refinement, and military strategy—famous figures like Zhuge Liang were often depicted holding one. Today, it appears in classical dance, opera costumes, and cultural performances, and is occasionally used decoratively or in martial arts demonstrations. Though no longer common for daily cooling, it remains a potent visual motif representing grace, wisdom, and traditional aesthetics.

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