A ceiling fan (10) has an electric motor (13) which rotatably drives an annular array of blade irons (14) coupled to blades (15). Each blade has a fastener mounting hole (18) and an end notch (19). Each blade iron (14) has a blade mounting portion (23) with a blade fastener (24) configured to pass through the fastener mounting hole, and a releasable spring biased catch (27). The fastener has main post (30) and stops (25) configured to overlay the top surface of the blade once the blade is coupled to the blade iron. The catch has a moveable flat spring (28) straddled by two L-shaped guides (29) having an upright wall portion (31) and a horizontal top portion (32). The horizontal top portion is spaced a select distance from the blade iron top surface (26) through the height of the vertical wall portion so as to catch the blade therebetween. The flat spring has a hand gripping portion (34) extending above the top surface of the blade.