The History of Fans in Spain

西班牙扇子的历史

Fans have been around for a very long time. Indeed they were popular with the Egyptians， Greeks and Romans， not only to keep cool but as a way of fighting off insects. The first reference to the fan being used in Spain is in the 14th century in the Chronicles of Pedro the First of Aragon.

扇子在西班牙有着悠久的历史。事实上，扇子在埃及、希腊和罗马也广受欢迎。它不仅能够带来凉爽，还能赶走蚊虫。最早提及扇子使用的是14世纪的《阿拉贡国王佩德罗一世统治时期编年史》。

A feather fan was included in the gifts from Christopher Columbus to Queen Elizabeth after his first trip to America. As time passed by， fans became not just a practical item but an object of beauty with distinctive meanings. All kinds of materials have been used in the making of fans， from rich linen and lace to feathers， palm fronds， other leaves and fine silks. Nowadays there is a mass market for fans and not only can you still buy hand-made fans but mass produced， cheaper versions too. The cheaper fans are often made of cardboard or paper with a plastic framework. They make a great souvenir and you will find them all over Spain.

克里斯托弗·哥倫布首次访问美洲后，送给伊丽莎白女王的礼物中就包含有一把羽毛扇。随着时间的推移，扇子除了具有实用功能，还是一件具有独特含义的精美物件。从昂贵的亚麻布和蕾丝到羽毛、棕榈叶、其他树叶和精致丝绸，各种各样的材料都曾被用来制作扇子。如今，扇子有着广阔的市场，人们不仅仍然可以买到手工制作的扇子，还可以购买大规模生产、价格更实惠的扇子。便宜的扇子通常由带塑料边框的硬纸板或纸张制成。扇子在西班牙是极好的纪念品，随处可见。

The Design of Spanish Fans

西班牙扇子的款式设计

The design of the average fan is a complicated one yet most fans are made on the same principle. Most folding fans are made of lightweight materials. Spanish fans can be plain in colour， mixed colours， fancy lace with cut-outs or printed with fancy images.

即使是普通的西班牙扇子，它们的设计都很复杂，不过大多数扇子的制作原理是相同的。大部分的折扇都是用轻质的材料制成。西班牙扇子色彩或单一或绚丽，或装饰有镂空设计的精美蕾丝花边，或印有美丽图案。

There are few Spanish women who do not own at least one fan and they are still widely used， mainly to keep cool. Most will have a collection of fans， each to match a different outfit or mood. The fan is also still used as a method of communication between lovers.

几乎每个西班牙女人都至少拥有一把扇子，扇子如今仍然被广泛使用，主要是为了驱暑。大多数西班牙女人拥有许多扇子，用来搭配不同的衣服或心情。同时，扇子仍然被当作情人之间传情达意的一种媒介。

The Secret Language of Fans

神秘的“扇语”

During the 19th century， when single ladies went out dancing， they were not allowed to meet boys on their own. They would be accompanied by a chaperone who would stay by their side and observe their behavior. In order to communicate with the young men， a secret language was started， using their fans.

19世纪，西班牙未婚女子外出参加聚会时，不得单独会见男子。 她们身边必须伴有年长女伴以监督她们的举止。为了和年轻男子交流，一种用扇子传达的神秘的“扇语”应需而生。

Depending on how they held or moved their fans， the boys would understand what they were trying to say yet the chaperones didnt. For example， opening the fan and touching her cheek meant “I like you”； moving the fan slowly over her chest meant “I am free and available—I dont have a boyfriend”.

根据她们持扇或摇扇方式的不同，男子可以在年长女伴不知情的情况下明白女孩的心意。比如：撑开扇子，用扇子抚脸意味着“我喜欢你”；在胸前慢慢摇扇意味着“我没有男朋友”。