麈尾【英】

Zhuwei (Elk Tail) Whisk  

定义

是魏晋清谈家经常用来拂秽清暑，显示身份的一种道具。直到唐代，还在士大夫间流行。宋朝以后逐渐失传。麈尾，形如树叶，下部靠柄处则常为平直状。它有点像现代的羽扇，可又不是扇。麈尾也绝不像拂尘，拂尘的形制、用途与麈尾大不相同。

Zhuwei (Elk Tail) Whisk: a handheld implement used to sweep away flies and cool oneself that was particularly used by famous scholars during their “idle talks” (discussions on philosophical topics) in the Wei and Jin Dynasties. As a status symbol, it remained popular among scholars and officials until the Tang Dynasty, but its use declined and ended after the Song Dynasty. The whisk is said to be made of an elk’s tail which looked like a leaf with a flat and straight part near the handle. It is similar to a feather fan, but not technically a fan. The zhuwei whisk is also different from fuchen fly whisk in shape and usage.