In the 19th century ivory or mother of pearls fan were used by young girls, and fans made of lace or feathers were used by married women.
Symbolism of the colours:
white-innocence
black-sadness
red-happiness
violet-humbleness
yellow-rejection
pink and blue-love and fidelity.
The positions of the fan was a secret language, and, as with any language, it evolved over time. In the middle of the 19th century in St. Petersburg, there were many rules for how to hold a fan in order to signal a message.
"Yes"-fan in a left hand, touching left cheek.
"Now"-open fan in right hand, touching left cheek.
"My thoughts are always with you"-half open fan sliding few times over forehead.
"Do not come today"-closed fan sliding over hand.
"I cannot trust you"-drum closed fan on a palm of the left hand.
"You are suffering, I am sympathizing with you"-two sections of the fan opened.
And so on…