Victorian fan language
October 14th, 2008 | Author: Zille
Flirting wasn’t as blatant as it is in today’s society … rather it was a series of subtle cues and body language used to convey ones intent!
Too Early by James Tissot
Since it was not considered appropriate for young men and women to openly talk to each other, they developed a way of communicating using the hand-held fans that the ladies carried. Each movement of the fan was a different message from the young lady to the young gentleman.
- The fan placed near the heart: You have won my love.
- Half-opened fan pressed to the lips: You may kiss me.
- Hiding the eyes behind an open fan: I love you.
- Opening and closing the fan several times: You are cruel.
- Fanning slowly: I am married.
- Fanning quickly: I am engaged. (There is some disagreement on this, as another site says, “Fan fast – I am independent.”)
- Twirling the fan in the left hand: You are being watched. (Also: “Drawing fan across forehead. – We are watched.”)
- Fan with right hand in front of face: Come on, follow me.
- Fan with left hand in front of face: Leave me.
- Resting Closed Fan To Right Eye: When can I see you?
- Open Fan Pressed To Left Ear: Do not betray our secret.
- Pulling Fan Across The Eyes: I apologize.
- Fan open wide: Love.
HMS Calcutta by James Tissot
- Fan half open: Friendship.
- Fan shut: Hate.
- Fan swinging: Can I see you home?
- Letting fan rest on right cheek: Yes.
- Letting fan rest on left cheek: No.
I always wonder how they developed these, and how everyone “got on the same page” about them! I mean, if you mistake the meaning, you could get anything from a broken heart to a serious social scandal!
However, this young lady seems to have gotten exactly what she wanted from the language of fans, and no longer needs hers…
Pierrot's Embrace by Guillaume Seignac
Zille, in high society, yes, but in the country under less watchful eyes, young people weren’t so different.
Mind you, if caught, the penalty could be much more severe, for the woman disgrace, for the man anything from a horse whipping, to exile as a remittance man and worse case scenario a duel.
Love and warm hugs,
Paul.
I immediately think of Lady Windermere’s Fan and the social upset caused by merely finding a lady’s fan in a gentlemen’s quarters. Oscar Wilde was making a commentary on Victorian morals and his choice of a fan was quite deliberate. It wasn’t a ribbon, a hat, or any other accessory a woman would have carried to an event found in Lord Darlington’s room.
I’ve always loved this aspect of Victorian life. It’s so romantic and sneaky to me ;D
So.. like the hanky code then? Hmmmm.. what’s the fan motion for ’size queen’?
Paul — I want to be in high society for the clothes and the flirting, the dances and the calling cards … but I want to be out in the country for the sex and the horse whipping!
Ivy — excellent point! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to post!
Tamsyn — I think we’d have fun if we could go back in time, don’t you?
Bill — ROFLMAO! Perhaps tapping the fan impatiently against one’s ass (right for top, left for bottom!)