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| Girl with a fan, Pietro Rotari |
Since moving back to Europe, I've found myself falling deeply for the history channel. I find the programs on it to be very interesting, well-researched, and cover a wide variety of topics. One of the the programs on random historical news brought up a very interesting fact regarding the use of...
The Fan.
So here's a little dictionary of uses regarding the fan from the Maison Duvelleroy, a house founded in 1827 by a man who wished to see the delicate object back in use...
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| Lady with a fan, Alexandre Roslin |
Holding it in your right hand before your face: Follow me.
Holding it in your left hand before your face: I wish for an interview (private).
Placing it against your left ear: I wish for you to leave me alone.
Brushing it against your forehead: You have changed.
Twirling it in your left hand: We are being watched.
Holding it in your right hand: You are being enterprising.
Sliding it in your hand: I loathe you.
Twirling it in your right hand: I love someone else.
Brushing it down your cheek then placing it against your chin: I love you.
Showing it closed to someone: Do you love me?
Sliding it before your eyes: I am sorry.
Touching the edge of it with your finger: I wish to speak to you.
Placing it against your right cheek without moving it: Yes.
Placing it against your left cheek without moving it: No.
Opening and closing it: You are cruel.
Letting it hang: We shall remain friends.
Slowly fanning yourself: I am married.
Quickly fanning yourself: I am engaged.
Placing it against your lips: Kiss me.
Open and still: Wait for me.
Holding it open in your left hand: Come speak to me.
Placing it behind your head: Do not forget me.
~Transl. from "L’éventail à tous vents" (Louvre des Antiquaires, Paris 1989).
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| Of course, you could also try to cheat with your fan... |
Now what should an unmarried woman use the fan to keep cool without giving any false messages? ;)
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Fascinating! I particularly like: "Sliding it in your hand: I loathe you. Twirling it in your right hand: I love someone else.". I often talk to AV and we often have chalk in our hands - so I will check what she does with the chalk when she talks to me - kind of a chalk chat check.
ReplyDeleteOh you should totally transpose it to chalk! Then you could be insulting those you don't like without them even knowing it! JK :)
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