Umbrella girls from south Yunnan

Umbrella was invented in China.

As early as 3500 years ago, umbrella had emerged in China. Regarding the invention of umbrella, there are many folk legends, among which the most widely spread one is the story about Luban inventing umbrella. According to the records of “Jade Chips”, umbrella was invented by Luban’s wife out of care and concern about her hardworking husband. As the folklore tells, daily meals delivered by Luban’s Wife Yun were often spoilt by downpours. So Luban built pavilions along the road. Later on, as inspired by children using lotus leaves for rain shelter, he invented the first umbrella by making a flexible framework covered by a cloth.

In ancient China, the umbrella was not only a day-to-day appliance, but also with sociological significance. In late Wei Dynasty, umbrella was used in official ceremonies and rites and was called the Luo Umbrella. According to Tso Chun, Jin Book • Clothing and Chariot Records, the Luo Umbrella is the symbol of rank and status as the official robe. For example, officials of the Han Dynasty above the third rank used Green Umbrella and emperors in Song dynasty used yellow and red umbrellas. Therefore, umbrellas were used in the inspection tours of emperors or senior officials in ancient times to show protection over the people. As umbrella indicates wealth and honor, it is often used in wedding ceremonies in China. Umbrella is often used in opera, song and dance, and acrobatics art as well.

With the increasing foreign exchanges, umbrellas gradually spread abroad. For example, Japan dispatched 19 batches of missionaries to the Tang Dynasty to learn Chinese culture. Thus, the umbrella making techniques were introduced to Japan. In the mid-18th century, British businessmen brought back an umbrella after traveling in China, which aroused great repercussion in the United Kingdom. Till the mid-19th century the umbrella had become a must for the British.