The first version is European and was dated back to the 18th century and went through to the early 19th century.
If a lady appears at the balcony, slowly fanning
her face, then she shuts the balcony. This means 'I can't go out'.
If she does it excitedly, not shutting the balcony:
'I'll go out soon'.
Resting the fan on her lips: 'I don't trust
you'.
Fanning herself with her left hand: 'Don't
flirt with that woman'.
Running her fingers through the ribs: 'I
want to talk to you'.
Fanning herself slowly: 'Don't waste your
time, I don't care about you'.
Fanning herself quickly: 'I love you so
much'.
Moving her hair away from her forehead:
'Don't forget me'.
Passing the fan from hand to hand: 'I see
that you are looking at another woman'.
Hitting her hand's palm: 'Love me'.
Carrying the fan closed and hanging from her
left hand: 'I'm engaged'.
Carrying the fan closed and hanging from her
right hand: 'I want to be engaged'.
Closing the fan quickly and impetuously:
'I'm jealous'.
Dropping the fan: 'I belong to you'.
Resting the fan on her heart: 'My love
for you makes me suffer'.
Half-opened the fan over her face: 'We
are being watched over'.
Hitting any object: 'I'm impatient'.
Hiding the sunlight: 'You're ugly'.
Looking closely at the painting: 'I like
you".
However...In 1877 the "language" changed - this was found in an old book by Daniel R. Shafer titled "Secrets of Life Unveiled".
Carrying in the right hand: 'You are too
willing'.
Carrying in the left hand: 'Desirous of
an acquaintance'.
Carrying in your right hand in front of your
face: 'Follow me'.
Letting it rest on the right cheek: 'Yes'.
Letting it rest on the left cheek: 'No'.
Placing it on the right ear: 'You have
changed'.
With the handle on to the lips: 'Kiss me'.
Twirling it on the left hand: 'I love another'.
Closing it: 'I wish to speak with you'.
Dropping it: 'We will be friends'.
Open and shut: 'You are cruel'.
Open wide: 'Wait for me'.
Shut: 'I have changed'.
Fanning fast: 'I am engaged'.
Fanning slow: 'I am married'.
Drawing across the forehead: 'We are watched'.
Drawing across the eyes: 'I am sorry'.
Drawing through the hand: 'I hate you'.
Drawing across the cheek: 'I love you'.
And if you aren't already confused enough...yep, you guessed it - one more change in the 'rule book'.
A closed fan dangling from the left hand - I’m engaged.
A closed fan dangling from the right hand means "I want to be engaged".
Fanning very slowly - I am married.
Dropping the fan to the floor - I belong to you alone.
Quickly fanning oneself - I love you so very much.
Hiding one's eyes behind the fan - I love you.
Placing the fan behind the head - "Do not forget me"
Placing the fan behind the head with finger extended - "Goodbye."
Moving the fan back and forth between hands - I’ve seen you look at another.
Fanning with the left hand - "Don’t you dare flirt with another woman!"
Fan held over left ear - "I wish to get rid of you."
Closing the fan quickly - I am jealous.
Placing the fan over one's heart - My heart is breaking with love for you.
Closely examining a decorated fan - I like you.
Abrupt, threatening gestures with a closed fan - Do not be careless or hasty.
Touching the fan to the right cheek - Yes.
Touching the fan to the left cheek - No.
Covering the left ear with an open fan - Don’t betray our trust or our secret.
Opening the fan as fully as possible - Please, wait for me.
The fan in the right hand, placed in front of the face - Follow me.
Spinning the fan in the left hand - We are being watched.
Slowly pulling a fan across one's eyes - I’m sorry.
Opening and closing the fan very quickly - You are mean.
Placing the fan handle to the lips or a half-opened fan pressed to the mouth -
Kiss me.
Gently touching one finger to the edge of the fan - I need to speak to you.
Closing an open fan very slowly - I promise to marry you.
Carrying the open fan in the right hand - "You are too willing."
Carrying the open fan in the left hand - "Come and talk to me."
A closed fan touching the right eye - "When may I be allowed to see you?"
The number of sticks shown answered the question - "At what hour?"
Hands clasped together holding an open fan - "Forgive me."
Half-opened fan pressed to lips - "You may kiss me."
