A Coded Hello: Fanology

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Saturday, August 23, 2025

3 Victorian Duck ladies fans in front of faces by Teagan via Night Cafe

Follow me: Carry fan in right hand in front of face.

Welcome, all.  I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend.   I didn’t have much to report, but I still wanted to say “hello.”  I decided to do that with the language of fans.

With fanology it was easy to get off on the wrong foot — or rather hand.  One must take care to remember which code is for the left hand and which is for the right.  Else the invitation might accidentally be a rejection.

You are too eager.  Carry the fan in the right hand.

Right and left could trip you up regarding more than which hand was holding the fan.  Right cheek/left cheek…  Left ear/right ear…

Victorian mouse holding fan behind right ear

Don’t reveal our secret:  Holding the fan over the right ear is a caution to keep a confidence. 

(Miss Mouse insisted on quiet. We’ll have to pretend that her fan is placed to cover her ear rather than behind it.)

Victorian Rabbit lady fan Left hand by Teagan via Night Cafe

Come talk to me.  Carry fan open and in left hand.

I made the lovely Victorian animal models with Night Cafe.   “Come talk to me” in comments.   Hugs!

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Of course, here is the obligatory shameless self-promotion.

Speak Flowers and Fans: a Dictionary of Floriography and Fanology

Universal Purchase Links

E-book:  relinks.me/B0FK3ZGNQT

Paperback:  relinks.me/B0FK3RH7LY

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Copyright © 2025 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

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44 thoughts on “A Coded Hello: Fanology”

  5. Dear Teagan,

    Thank you for the fan messages, and the adorable models. The promo vid is gorgeous.

    It’s kind of romantic, yet, women developed this because of a lesser standing. On another hand, women have more standing now, but this rite of romance is faded.

    Thank you for keeping this language alive. Perhaps we can have both now. I like that idea.

    Hugs

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    Reply

    1. That’s a nice thought, Resa. Although here we’ll be lucky to hang on to the scant amount of standing that we’ve attained. Having chosen to remain single, I see a “different reality” of the standing women have. Or maybe the standard of standing is simply different for single cat ladies. Ha! New Mexico has a big dose of the wifey attitude.

      Sorry. I’m a downer because after months of trying, I found a landscaper to cut my weeds (although he would only do the front yard, not the back which is 100 times worse). His weed whacked threw a shower of rocks at the house, and shattered the glass storm door. He refused to take responsibility. Not even an apology. Like he’d be that way if I were male… Now there’s a 2 month wait for a door installer, and the installation price alone is nearly double the price of the door. This is the third night in a row that I have not slept. Oh well. That’s how it is when you’re me. It just is.

      Wishing you a lovely new week. Hugs.

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      Reply

      1. It’s not a downer to be mad at something, and you have every right to be mad at that jerk. He says he’s a landscaper, but I think he’s a phoney.

        I have a girlfriend in Georgia, who has a serious weed problem, including poison ivy. She has a guy with goats come every summer, and the goats eat it all!

        I tried to stay single, but I hung out with this musician boyfriend for s long, the account said we had to file as common law, or he would not do our taxes. Apparently we were skirting the law. NO kids!!!!

        Try to get some sleep, please. Purrhaps the Scoobies could sing you to seep?

        Sending love and hugs!

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        Reply

        1. Goats are wonderful for that. When I lived in GA and TN, rural farmer types used kept them to keep their fences clear.

          LOL, I actually did think about getting a goat last year. But I knew I’d be so worried about it having to live outside in the extremes of winter and summer. Ha, and then I’d worry if the chupacabra was real. Haha. (And the serious fact that cleaning its pen would be murder on my back…)

          Up in Albuquerque the city hired a goat service to clean up some places. I wish there was one down here. LOL, I wish a lot of things about this town.

          Thank you for your supportive words and kindness. ❤

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  7. Teagan, your imagination knows no bounds! You’ve brought fanology to life with elegance and wit, and now I find myself wondering what quiet messages might have once fluttered behind every flick and fold. I just purchased a copy and can’t wait to explore the layers of meaning you’ve gathered. Thank you for gifting us a world where flowers speak and fans whisper secrets. Sending many hugs on speedy wings to you and the Scoobies!!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. It’s lovely to see you back, Rebecca. Oh! You made my day. Thank you for getting the book. I think you’ll enjoy the brief part at the end about different cultures.

      The Scoobies are a great comfort — and lots of entertainment. They’re working on a new song parody. 🐱 They send loud purrs to you. Thank you for this delightful comment. Hugs on the wing.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  15. A gorgeous post with lovely “ladies”. Very cute! I am reading the book at the moment, enjoying it and learning a huge amount of things. I haven’t reached the fanology part yet, but every time I hear anybody talk about flowers, I go back to check what they mean! Thanks for another beautiful post, and the lovely book to go with it, Teagan. Big hugs, and love to the Scoobies!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks very much, Tim. Anthropomorphic art was enormously popular with the Victorians. So it seemed like a good match for Speak Flowers and Fans. I was got some of the deer that were much prettier — but the darned thing kept giving her antlers. Must be programmed by the guy who did that cartoon series about the “boy cow.” My coworkers in DC couldn’t understand why that annoyed me so much. I suggested they try milking a “boy cow”. LOL

      Happy Caturday. Hugs.

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