yelpaze

Yelpaze is a Turkish noun meaning a folding hand fan. The term refers to a portable, collapsible device used to create a breeze and cool the user. A typical yelpaze comprises a thin frame of ribs connected at a pivot, with a leaf of fabric or paper that unfolds into a wide, flexible surface.

In historical and cultural contexts, the yelpaze has appeared as both a practical accessory and a symbol of elegance. In Ottoman and Turkish social life, fans were carried by both men and women, used in ceremonies, and sometimes employed as signaling devices in crowds. Artistic traditions include hand-painted or lacquered yelpazes, valued as keepsakes or gifts.

Today the word remains the common Turkish term for folding fans, regardless of material or design. Modern variants may incorporate plastics, metal, or synthetic fabrics, while traditional designs with ornate decoration continue to be produced for ceremonial use, performance art, and tourist markets. The yelpaze persists as a cultural object that blends utility with aesthetics, reflecting regional craftsmanship and social practices.

See also: Folding fan, Turkish language, Ottoman art, cultural artifacts.