Thai-Chinese people performing a fan dance, a style of tai chi chuan whilst holding a fan in Bangkok's Lumphini Park.

This specific style of martial art developed from the use of special war fans called tessen (fig.), weapons for both offensive and defensive purposes in ancient oriental warfare.

War fans are also called steel fans and were used for signaling troops, fending off arrows, kung-fu stars and darts, as well as a throwing weapon and an aid in swimming.