扇

A compound ideograph:

戶 (호) — door; panel; hinged surface

羽 (우) — feathers; wings

The character depicts feathered wings spread open like a door panel, forming a fan.

This visual logic emphasizes opening–closing motion and air movement.

Notably, 扇 originally referred specifically to a folding fan (접부채), not fans in general.

Semantic development:

- feathered object — folding fan

- air movement — fanning action

- panel counting — doors, windows

- striking motion — slapping (flat-hand action)

Throughout, the core idea is broad, flat motion producing airflow or impact.

Noun usage:

부채 (扇) — fan

접선 (摺扇) — folding fan

우선 (羽扇) — feather fan

선면 (扇面) — fan surface

Verb usage:

부채질하다 (扇하다) — to fan

선풍 (扇風) — fanning wind; airflow

Fans (扇) were not only practical tools but also status symbols in East Asia:

- used by scholars and officials

- surfaces for calligraphy and painting

- indicators of refinement and seasonality

The folding fan in particular became associated with leisure, elegance, and controlled gesture.

Related characters (fans & airflow):

羽 — feather; wing

風 — wind

煽 — to incite; to fan metaphorically

團 — round (as in round fans 團扇)

門 — door (structural parallel)

Among these, 扇 uniquely bridges object, action, and measurement.

Semantic contrast 扇 vs 煽:

扇 — physical fanning

- moving air with an object

- concrete, mechanical action

煽 — abstract fanning

- to incite, stir up emotions, provoke

- metaphorical extension (“fan the flames” of anger, rumor, ideology)

Example:

扇風 — fanning wind

煽動 — agitation; incitement

In Mandarin "shàn", is a measure word classifier for fans, doors, windows:

一扇門 — one door

兩扇窗 — two window panels

Here, 扇 counts hinged or panel-like objects, reflecting its original “door-like” structure.