Fan numbers and design were systematically prescribed according to the specific type of ceremony in which they were used. Similar long-handled procession fans may be seen today in Taiwan at festivals in honor of local deities.
相傳湖南以出產羽扇聞名，當地人收集各式鳥羽編成毫堅茸密的羽扇，是當年宦遊湘省的外官進京贈人的最佳禮品。