More Than a Fan: The Timeless Art of a Chinese Hand-Folded Masterpiece

Meet Master Wu Wei

Master Wu Wei comes from a family of fan makers. For five generations, his family has been creating beautiful folding fans in Hangzhou. He learned the craft as a boy. Now, with over 20 years of experience, he is keeping this delicate art alive. To Master Wu, a fan is not just for breeze—it is a symbol of elegance, art, and personal expression.

A Fan with a Deep History

The folding fan has a special place in Chinese culture. It first became popular over 1,000 years ago during the Song Dynasty.

Scholars, artists, and nobles carried these fans. They wrote poems and painted small pictures on them. A fan showed a person’s taste, education, and style.

It was more than a tool—it was part of their identity.

How a Traditional Fan is Made

Master Wu makes each fan by hand, step by step.

He chooses strong, flexible bamboo for the frame. The bamboo is cut, heated, and shaped into fine ribs.

For the fan face, he uses high-quality Xuan paper or silk. This material is thin but strong. It is perfect for painting or writing.

The ribs are carefully tied together at the base. This allows the fan to open smoothly and close neatly.

Your Story, On a Fan

What makes Master Wu’s work special is that he blends old techniques with new personalization.

You can choose a custom design. It can be your name, a special date, a short message, or even a photograph.

Using gentle high-resolution printing, your design is placed on the fan. This way, the fan is not only traditional—it is also uniquely yours.

A Gift of Meaning and Beauty

This fan is ideal for many people:

•Couples giving a memorable wedding gift

•Bridesmaids or groom’s party seeking a stylish thank-you

•Travelers and culture lovers who appreciate functional art

•Anyone who values beauty, tradition, and personal touch

A folding fan is light and easy to carry. But it carries great meaning—connecting the past to the present, and the maker to you.