The kanji 扇 represents "fan" or "to fan." It fundamentally refers to a device used to create a current of air, usually for cooling or signaling. The character encompasses the idea of something that spreads out or widens, reflecting the shape and function of a fan.

・On-yomi (音読み): セン (sen) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): おうぎ (ōgi)

⚫︎扇子 Translation: folding fan (sensu) ⚫︎扇風機 Translation: electric fan (senpūki) ⚫︎扇動する Translation: to instigate, to incite (sendō suru)

The kanji 扇 is a 形声文字 (keisei moji), a phono-semantic compound. The phonetic component is 羽 (hane, meaning "feather" or "wing"), and the semantic component is 戸 (to, meaning "door"). The combination of these suggests something that opens and closes like a door, or that has "wings" to move air. This structure reflects the visual image of a fan, which often has a structure resembling feathers or wings. Over time, the character evolved to its current form.