Plate Number 54. Two women walking arm in arm and turning around; one flirting a fan 1887

In this late 19th-century photographic study by Eadweard Muybridge, we see two women captured in successive moments, walking arm in arm. One playfully flirts with a fan, a gesture laden with historical and cultural significance. The fan, beyond its practical use, becomes a potent symbol. Across cultures, fans have signified status, secrecy, and courtship. In aristocratic European society, the language of the fan was a subtle, coded means of communication. A woman could convey interest, disinterest, or even warnings with a flick of the wrist. Think of the way this echoes through time, from ancient rituals to modern-day flirtations. Consider, too, how gestures themselves carry emotional weight. The touch of arms, the turn of the head – these are primal forms of expression. They tap into our collective memory, engaging us on a subconscious level. The women convey a sense of both intimacy and performance. This image reminds us that symbols are never static. They resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different contexts.