| p>For those of you using a flamenco fan as part of | | | | - Presented shut - do you love me? |
| your dance choreography, heed the following (taken | | | | - Drawing across the eyes - I am sorry |
| from a sheet of paper passed to me by a student - | | | | - Touching tip with finger - I wish to speak with you |
| I do not know where it came from originally). I am | | | | - Letting fan rest on right cheek - yes |
| not sure how you could be certain that the right | | | | - Letting fan rest on left cheek - no |
| person received your message - nor how many | | | | - Open and shut - you are cruel |
| people I have mistakenly agreed to marry in the | | | | - Dropping it - we will be friends |
| past: | | | | - Fanning slowly - I am married |
| Fans have been used to convey messages during | | | | - Fanning quickly - I am engaged |
| times when the strict rules of behavious did not | | | | - With handle to lips - kiss me |
| permit conversation to take place freely. The first | | | | - Open wide - wait for me |
| organised fan language appeared in Spain, which | | | | - Carrying fan in left hand open - come and talk to |
| consisted of 55 movements to correspond with | | | | me |
| certain meanings. This was later translated into English | | | | - Place behind head - don't forget me |
| but reduced to 33 coded signs: | | | | - With little finger extended - goodbye |
| - Carrying in right hand in front of face - follow me | | | | - Shut fan held to heart - you have won my love |
| - Carrying in left hand in front of face - desirous of | | | | - Shut fan resting on right eye - when will I be |
| acquaintance | | | | allowed to see you? |
| - Placing fan on left ear - I wish to be rid of you | | | | - Presenting fan part open - at what hour? |
| - Drawing across forehead - you have changed | | | | - Touching unfolded fan in the act of waving - I long |
| - Twirling in left hand - we are watched | | | | to be near you always |
| - Carrying in right hand - you are too willing | | | | - Threaten with shut fan - do not be so unprudent |
| - Drawing through the hand - I hate you | | | | - Gazing pensively at shut fan - why do you |
| - Twirling in the right hand - I love another | | | | misunderstand me? |
| - Drawing across the cheek - I love you | | | | |