Ancient China Umbrella

The ancient Chinese umbrella, invented around 3500 years ago by Lu Ban, was inspired by children using lotus leaves for rain protection. This innovation featured a flexible frame covered with cloth, laying the groundwork for contemporary umbrella designs.

Ancient Chinese Umbrella Facts

  • Invented around 3500 years ago.
  • Attributed to inventor Lu Ban.
  • Inspired by lotus leaves.
  • Featured a flexible frame.
  • Covered with a durable cloth.
  • The earliest umbrellas were round.
  • Used for sun and rain protection.
  • A symbol of power and authority.
  • Elaborate designs for nobility.
  • Laid foundation for modern umbrellas.

Throughout history, umbrellas have been used for a variety of purposes including protection from the weather to simply decorative fashion.

The ancient Chinese created the first umbrellas over 3,000 years ago by using silk and paper.

As with so many of the inventions of the Chinese, the umbrella wasn’t just functional, they made them true works of art with color and designs.

Umbrellas for the rich

The original design of the umbrella was not only time-consuming but costly. Silk was very expensive and when the ancient Chinese artisans added their art, the price ended up being something that only the wealthy could afford.

The frames of these umbrellas were made from mulberry bark and bamboo that was at least five years old.

They were commonly used by noble families, royalty, and wealthy merchants. Chinese artists would paint the silk top of the umbrellas with designs that might include nature, animals, flowers, scenery, landscapes, dragons, writing, or even other mythological creatures.

Paper umbrellas

Around the 1st century BC, silk on the umbrellas was replaced with paper and this made them a bit more accessible to wealthy females as a fashion accessory.

The designers added a protective layer of oil on the paper so that it would protect the owner from the rain.

Since umbrellas were still handmade by artisans, the cost was fairly high, and having either silk or paper umbrellas was a symbol of wealth and prosperity.

The royal members of the Chinese aristocracy carried only yellow or red umbrellas, while the rest of the population used umbrellas in blue colors.

Umbrella innovations

As time progressed, the cost of the umbrellas came down and this allowed the general population to have access to umbrellas.

By the third century AD, the ancient Chinese began adding new and inventive innovations such as extendable shafts, a collapsing mechanism, and even umbrellas for carriages and horse riders.

Umbrellas as a trend

The beauty of art on umbrellas became a sense of pride and tradition. The fashion trend expanded into other countries so that the royalty of Burma, Siam, and even Korea were seen with their umbrellas.

However, it was in Japan that umbrellas became intertwined as part of their culture. Umbrellas helped to protect the skin of the women in Japan and pale skin was considered a measurement of beauty.

Terracota Warrior holding Umbrella

The one main reason that pale skin was revered is that laborers that were out in the sun often had darker-tanned skin. Having pale skin showed that an individual was too well to do to have to work outside.

European umbrellas

As traders traveled the Silk Road they brought with them many of the fashions and inventions of the ancient Chinese.

During the time when Europe was finally coming out of the Dark Ages, they were hungry for things exotic and new.

The colorful umbrellas that were brought from the distant land of China captured the fashion tastes of Europe.

Umbrella

It soon became common for the nobility in England, France, and Italy to be carrying umbrellas.

  • Our word “umbrella” is derived from the Latin word “umbra” which means shadow or shade.
  • Various names for the umbrella around the world include Bumbershoot, parasol, parapluie, and brolly.
  • It wasn’t until the middle of the 18th century that both men and women in Europe used umbrellas. Before that, umbrellas were considered to be a fashion accessory for women only.
  • The first man that carried an umbrella in public was Jonas Hanway, an Englishman. His action changed the way umbrellas were viewed.
  • Many religions use parasols and umbrellas as part of their processions and ceremonies.
  • Today’s umbrellas are coated with the chemical Teflon to make the canopy top waterproof.
  • The nobility of England prefers umbrellas that are made from green or blue silk.
  • The first folding umbrella was introduced to society in 1969 by Bradford Philips.
Parasols

Q&A:

What are two other names that people sometimes call umbrellas?

bumbershoot, parasol, parapluie, and brolly.

What were the original ancient Chinese umbrellas made from?

silk and wood

What innovative change was made in the design of umbrellas that made it more affordable?

changing silk to paper

What country adopted umbrellas as part of their culture?

Japan

Why were umbrellas popular for women in various countries?

protected their skin and pale skin was a sign of beauty

What color of umbrellas were carried by ancient Chinese royalty?

yellow or red