檀香扇是蘇州的一大特產(chǎn)，扇子選用檀香木制成，檀香木制成的檀香扇具有天然香味，有“扇存香在”之譽(yù)，用以扇風(fēng)，清香四溢，檀香扇為中國(guó)四大名扇。

The sandalwood fan is one of Suzhou's famous specialties. Made from sandalwood, it carries a natural fragrance and is praised with the saying, "The fan remains, and so does its scent". When used to create a breeze, its aroma drifts gently through the air. Sandalwood fans are counted among the four great fans of China.

從形式上看，檀香扇一般是半圓形，檀香宮扇有長(zhǎng)方形、圓形、龜形、圓角倒梯形等等。其造型小巧玲瓏，扇骨扇邊飾有花紋圖案，加工工藝主要有拉花、燙花、書(shū)花、鑲嵌四種。扇面之畫(huà)秀麗雋永，艷而不俗。

In form, they are generally semicircular, though sandalwood palace fans can also be rectangular, round, tortoise-shaped, or rounded trapezoids. Their designs are delicate and refined, with fan ribs and edges often decorated with patterns. The main decorative techniques include cutwork, pyrography, painted designs, and inlay. The paintings on the fan surfaces are elegant, graceful, and vivid without being gaudy.

盛夏酷暑，檀香扇頗有清心醒腦之效，蘇州諺語(yǔ)說(shuō)：“六月里扇仔檀香扇，再熱也勿會(huì)打惡心?！毕牧钸^(guò)后，將檀香扇藏入箱中，兼具防止蟲(chóng)蛀衣服的功用。檀香扇主要適合于婦女，作為美化等裝飾之用，因而它的形式與結(jié)構(gòu)富有裝飾趣味。

In the height of summer, sandalwood fans are believed to calm the mind and refresh the senses. A Suzhou saying goes, "With a sandalwood fan in June, no heat will ever make you feel faint." After summer, storing the fan in a chest not only preserves it but also helps prevent clothes from being damaged by moths. Sandalwood fans are mostly favored by women, used both for adornment and decoration, which is why their design and structure are rich in ornamental charm.

責(zé)編：玄賀彤