When 19th century puertorrican ladies went dancing, they were always accompanied by their mothers or another adult lady, called "the Chaperona" (Shah-peh-roh-nah), to watch her behavior. They were very zealous so, the young girls invented a way to communicate with the boys without being noticed by them. They used their fans in different ways to convey their messages. I'll present here two versions I have found. It is said that:
|
If the lady moved her fan very slowly over her chest it meant: "I am free and available, I don't have a boyfriend"
|
|
|
|
If she moved the fan in fast and short movements over her chest it meant: "I have a partner or boyfriend, so keep going".
|
|
|
|
If she opened and closed her fan and touched her cheek with it, it told the gentleman: "I like you!"
|
|
|
|
If she placed the fan on her temple and looked upwards, it said: "I think of you day and night!"
|
|
|
|
If she saw her boyfriend talking to another girl or suspected he was being unfaithful she touched the tip of her nose with her fan, meaning:: "Something doesn't smell good here"
|
|
|
|
If she walked from side to side hitting the palm of her hand with the fan, it meant: "Be careful, honey, the "Chaperona" is coming"
|
|
|
|
If she opened and closed the fan and then pointed with it toward the garden: "Wait for me there, sweetheart. Soon I will be there with you."
|
|
|
|
And finally, if she covered her mouth with the open fan and looked at him very suggestively she was sending him a kiss, and obviously, the gentleman knew he was the chosen one!
|
|
The previous version is taken from a verbal account offered to the author of this pages by singer Migadalia Batiz - source unknown. The next is a version taken from the book "Memorias del Casino de Mayagüez", which is taken from an article in the magazine "La Revista Blanca" tittled "Love conveyed through the fan" :
| |
|
| |
Carrying it closed and hanging from her left hand (means): I want to have a boyfriend..
|
|
|
|
Carrying it closed and hanging from her right hand : I'm engaged. .
|
|
|
|
Fanning very rapidly: I have doubts about you. .
|
|
|
|
Closing it very fast: Talk with my father. .
|
|
|
|
Resting it closed over her heart: I love you dearly. .
|
|
|
|
Resting it closed over her forehead: I am ignoring you. .
|
|
|
|
Putting away the fan closed: I'm not going out today. .
|
|
|
|
Taking it out of her purse: I'll be out today. .
|
|
|
|
Resting it open over her lips: Don't doubt about me. .
|
|
|
|
Resting it open over her heart: I want to get married. .
|
|
|
|
Giving the fan to the boyfriend: My heart belongs only to you. .
|
|
|
|
Taking the fan from her boyfriend: I don't want anything else from you. .
|
|
|
|
Covering part of her face with the open fan: We have finished. .
|
|
|
|
Dropping down the fan: I'm suffering, but I love you. .
|
|
|
|
Hitting her left hand with the fan: I like you. .
|
|
|
|
Looking outside: I'm considering if it is good for me. .
|
|
|
|
Hitting her right hand with the fan: I hate you. .
|
|
|
|
Hitting her dress with the fan: I'm jealous. .
|
|
|
|
Resting it closed on her left cheek: I'm all yours. .
|
|
|
|
Resting it closed on her right cheek: Be careful, my family is watching. .
|
|
|
|
Doing as if she is counting the fan's blades: I want to talk with you. .
|
|
|
|
Playing with the fan: I'm in a hurry. .
|
|
|
|
Having it open, hanging upside down: Without your love, I prefer to die. .
|
