Did paper folding fans have a special meaning for scholars in ancient times? What was it?
In ancient China, paper folding fans had a special meaning as a cultural symbol. For scholars, paper folding fans had positive symbolic significance mainly in the following aspects: The patterns and words on the fan could symbolize the success of one's studies and career. The patterns and words on the paper folding fan often represented culture and knowledge, such as "folding willow","peach","dragonfly", etc. These patterns and words often appeared on the paper folding fan of scholars, implying their academic and career success. The fan surface could reflect the scholar's aloofness and elegance. Paper folding fan was a necessary prop for scholars. The patterns and words on the fan often showed the scholar's lofty and elegant, such as "plum blossom","landscape","fish and insect". These patterns and words often appeared on the paper folding fan of scholars, implying their spirit and character in pursuing knowledge. The fan surface could reflect the leisure and self-cultivation of a scholar. Paper folding fan was a necessary prop for scholars. It could be used to fan the wind and rain, and at the same time, it could also reflect the leisure and cultivation of scholars. During the period of studying, scholars often needed to spend a lot of time and energy to pursue knowledge and culture. However, paper folding fans could allow them to relax in the game, pursue knowledge, and enjoy the beauty of life. Therefore, paper folding fans had a special meaning for scholars in ancient times. It represented culture and knowledge, academic and career success, lofty and elegant, leisure and self-cultivation, and so on.