Within ancient Chinese history, fans were used not only to drive away the heat but also as an aesthetic accessory. Fans came in a number of elegant and artistic designs leading to their appreciation as a traditional folk art. The feather fan is amongst the most famous and culturally imprinted fans within China.

The Chinese feather fan is made from the soft feathers of large birds. Bird feathers most associated with feather fans are the quill of fleck willets, the tail feathers of the peafowl and black wide goose, wing feathers of the round fleck owl and tail fathers of the crane and the white or grey goose.

There are a number of working procedures to transform the natural feathers into a magnificent feather fan. Searching, brushing, washing, arranging, repairing, sewing, fixing, rearranging and decorating are a select few of the procedures common to all feather fan production. Dyeing the feathers elaborate colours is also an important procedure which produces amazing designs. The feathers paired on both sides must be plucked from both wings of the same bird to ensure correct symmetry.

With a long history of more than three thousand years, the feather fan has progressed into an importnat part of China’s artistic cultural heritage. Originating during the Shang (1600-1100 BC) and Zhou (1100-256 BC) Dynasties, the feather fan is thought to be the oldest type of fan within China. Up until the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), it was a necessary fashion accessory for the literati and officials which denoted status. By the 8th century, the feather fan was popular among both the wealthy and peasant population and was a common decoration for women. Emperors during this period were recorded to have sent white feather fans to officials to show their favour. Throughout history, the feather fan became more elaborate and many varieties and designs have been created.

Today, the feather fan is mainly made from goose feathers. Most are peach shaped and consist of approximately forty feathers. Different designs are stitched into the fans from gold and silver thread. Green peacock feathers are often included as edging.

Once considered an essential accessory of  a woman’s wardrobe, the feather fan is now admired for its artistic beauty and cultural significance. Its long history of changing designs and various formations has been influenced by traditional painting, paper cut art and other cultural folk arts. It is valued by China and the rest of the world as an important ancestor of all artistic fans known today and will continue as an example of China's cultural heritage.