The Chinese fan represents not only a practical item but also a sign of culture. Chinese fan calligraphy is closely combined with various forms of art such as Chinese calligraphy, painting, sculpture, and more, which developed into unique Chinese fan art. It is also a significant category of Chinese calligraphy. Chinese fan calligraphy is to write Chinese characters on spun silk, paper, or other materials as the visual center of the fan and a kind of written material of fan-shaped decoration, calligrapher use the surface of the fan as a medium and a form to carry out artistic creation. Since ancient times, literati like to express their passion and aspiration through the fan and transform its content into an expression of their feelings and sentiments of their lives. The exquisite craft of the fan combines with painting and calligraphy, which becomes aesthetic calligraphy art different from the form of a central scroll, calligraphy scroll, antithetical couplet, Chinese album sheet of calligraphy, horizontal scroll, square scroll. The Chinese fan is an important Calligraphy form, but relatively fewer researchers have paid attention to this aspect.
This study aims to analyze Chinese fan calligraphy systematically and interpret its origin and development. Utilize the textual analysis method, inductive method, dual attestation, in-depth interview, and other methods to conduct a thorough search for the difference between every form and types of the fan from successive dynasties, the relationship between fan and other cultures, the difference between modern and traditional Chinese fan calligraphy and the difference between writing technique in fan calligraphy and the other form of calligraphy. Through the analysis of Chinese fan calligraphy to interpret the aesthetic merit of Chinese fan calligraphy, further, uncover the unique cultural feature of Chinese fan calligraphy and its value and the place in the calligraphy field. Through our research about Chinese fan calligraphy, we get the following result. Firstly, The origin of the Chinese fan can be traced back to an early age, and the Chinese fan developed into a variety of forms in different dynasties. Secondly, there are close relationships between Chinese fan culture and other Chinese traditional culture. Besides, there are ups and downs during the development of the Chinese fan in history. Moreover, the handheld fan industry in Taiwan needs to be revived from decline. What’s more, there are abundant skills and techniques about the Chinese fan calligraphy. Finally, the cultural value of Chinese fan calligraphy is waiting for revival.