"Eyes speak no more, heart feel no fear for she can see all."
Would you like to ‘rant’ at Madame Webb? Contact me at: madamewebb@rogers.com
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The Victorian era (1839-1901), a time when proper decorum and morals were valued among men and women more than anything. The Victorian people saw the past centuries filled with barbaric actions and material ignorance, and felt it was their duty to uphold social responsibility and consciousness towards humanitarian issues as well as supporting all scientific advancement ventures. Despite revolutionary literature being produced and new world views, the prudish Queen Mother had her influence over many things in people’s day to day lives. From fashion, to etiquette, and even funerary practices.
Socializing was an integral part of their daily events, but there was structure and procedure to the way one should carry out a conversation, eat, sit and dress for these occasions. There were many books written about proper manners and etiquette and it was probably one of the best gifts that a young person could get to help them avoid any reputation and survive through the social classes.
Attending parties or to have people calling in the afternoon for tea were adored occasions because it gave people the opportunity to show of their embellished homes and outfits.
The Victorians truly lived by the saying “it is never enough”. Whether they were rich or poor their best items decorated every corner of their home. Paper decoupage accents and memory scraps hidden away. Men poured themselves into books to be knowledgeable in many subjects. Their outfits had to be accessorized with a hat and cane. Ladies dresses were adorned with yards of lace and they needed to have the latest hat styles, parasols, calling cards and of course, a fan.
Fans have existed for centuries. The Aztecs had them and they were even discovered in King Tutankhamum’s tomb. The more popular folding fan was created in Asia. Throughout the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries the fan was an important fashion accessory. Even though fashion in the Victorian era was about “simplicity” there were more fans created during this time than ever before.
Men and women both used fans in this age. The fan could be highly decorated or not. Most women would hand paint their fans with their favourite images, or even remembrance notes, song lyrics and poems. Fans for men were decorated as well but usually with insect images.
What makes the fan interesting is that they served a dual purpose for women. A lady in that era must remain innocent, virtuous, respectful and above all, chaste. To court a lady men could not just walk up to her and start a conversation, they had to be introduced by a family member or a close family friend.
And once engaged in a conversation with a lady it must be about light and casual subjects. Of course one could not ignore body language and it was easy to read when a man or women was attracted to someone. In order to avoid the judging eyes of peers and passer-by’s a lady to could respond to a gentleman one way in words but say something different with her fan.
For many years Victorian society adapted the language of fans, “fanology” as a subtle way of communication. Here are a few examples:
The fan placed near the heart: "You have won my love"
Half opened fan pressed to the lips: "You may kiss me"
Covering the left ear with an open fan: "Do not betray our secret"
Touching the finger to the tip of the fan: "I wish to speak with you"
Letting the fan rest on the right cheek: "Yes"
Letting the fan rest on the left cheek: "No"
Opening the fan wide: " Wait for me"
Fan in right hand in front of face: "Follow me"
Twirling the fan in the left hand: "We are being watched"
Slowly fanning herself: "Don’t waste your time, I don’t care about you"
Carrying the fan closed and hanging from her left hand: "I’m engaged"
Carrying the fan closed and hanging from her right hand: "I want to be engaged"
Dropping the fan " We will be friends"
There are numerous resources on the language of fans, and some of them have different meanings for the same action which could lead the researcher to wonder who started this cultural fad and where? Was it different for each household or family? Was it whispered about in women’s colleges or something passed along between friends? In Spain the young women started the “fanology language” as a way to communicate with men at dances while hiding their intentions from their chaperons.
It is fascinating to see that a culture, whose sexuality was prohibited and repressed, finds subtle ways to experience sexual freedom through such things as erotic art, literature, and secret languages.
The communication with fans is just one of the reasons why the Victorian era fascinates and enchants so many people. The Victorians found use and symbolism in spectacular things and the most plain of all personal items or accessories, never more
