Inspired by the Dunhuang murals, I designed a round fan complete with a sleek desktop stand for easy display. The Tuan Fan, also known as the Gong Fan or Wan Fan, is a cherished traditional craft and artistic treasure of the Han Chinese culture, symbolizing reunion, harmony, good fortune, and auspicious blessings.

   Fans first emerged during the Yin Dynasty, crafted from vibrant wild chicken feathers and initially referred to as “blocking fans,” which is why the character for “fan” includes the radical for “feather.” Back then, fans weren’t used for cooling—instead, they served as practical tools for emperors to shield themselves from the sun, wind, and sand while on official tours. It wasn’t until the Western Han Dynasty that fans began to be employed as cooling devices. During the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang famously wielded his goose‑feather fan with effortless grace, devising ingenious strategies and orchestrating brilliant plans from the comfort of his tent. The feather fan delivers a soft, gentle breeze that doesn’t penetrate deeply into the skin, making it ideal for both comfort and elegance. By the Eastern Han Dynasty, most feather fans had been replaced with luxurious fabrics like silk, satin, and brocade, often adorned with intricate embroidery and decorative motifs. A fan shaped like a full moon came to be known as the “Wan Fan” or “Tuan Fan,” also called the “Huaifan”—a fan that embodies both beauty and functionality. At that time, fans were crafted in a variety of forms, including long ovals, sunflower patterns, plum blossoms, hexagons, and rounded plaques; their handles were fashioned from wood, bamboo, bone, and other refined materials. Decorative accents such as pendants, tassels, and jade embellishments further enhanced their aesthetic appeal. The fan surface was often embellished with delicate landscapes and floral designs, each style vying for artistic distinction. In the boudoirs of noble ladies, the graceful swish of a Tuan Fan brought not only a refreshing coolness but also an air of quiet sophistication, perfectly complementing the wearer’s poised and serene demeanor while subtly highlighting her lively, youthful spirit.