5 Historical Facts About Umbrellas

The first naming of an umbrella is found in the documents of the XI century BC. It was used by noblemen and kings only to protect them from the sun in China and Egypt. An umbrella is for everyone now. There is an inspiring artist, Leonid Afremov who paints people with umbrellas. One of his favorite artworks is “Under brown umbrella," which shows brown umbrella in autumn here.

The history of umbrellas lasts for a very long time; people use this accessory for millenniums. This article can tell you about the development of umbrellas and their use in different countries. For example, they were like a cone in Ancient Rome. The umbrellas were fastened to the throne, and they were a symbol of power in Mongolia and India.

1. Egypt or China?

Initially, an umbrella was a shelter from the sun. The name comes from the Dutch word "Zonnedeck," which means "a cover against the sun." Scientists believe that the birthplace of an umbrella is either in China or Egypt that was a symbol of power there. Only the Emperor and his followers could have umbrellas. The height of umbrellas was about 1.5 meters, and the weight was more than two kilograms.

2. 13 Umbrellas

It is also considered to be a measure of power in India. The more important a person was, the more umbrellas his entourage had. The king had 13 umbrellas. One of them meant the sun and others were located around it, symbolizing the twelve zodiac signs.

3. Two at Once

The secular people walked with umbrellas made of peacock feathers in Tibet, and the priesthood had white and yellow ones. The Panchen Lama and the Dalai Lama often use two instances at once.

4. Parasol vs. Umbrella

In Ancient Greece, parasols came from the East. Then the Roman women started walking with them. The French used umbrellas for sun protection, namely the "parasol" in the 17th century. It had a bone handle, and the top of it was made of waxed canvas.

5. Too Late to Russia

Umbrella bearers overcrowded almost all the streets in Paris during Louis the XIVth reign. They could be even rented in the case of rain. The first folding umbrella was founded in spring of 1715 in Paris. The fashion to bring umbrellas came to Russia in the XVIII century only. Umbrellas were presented in a variety of different shapes and colors in the 19th century. The furor was caused by the inventor Fox, who made an umbrella on a metal carcass.

You may like any kind of umbrellas, comprising colorful, red, blue or fulvous parasol as well as you can love them in art. For example, you may enjoy a painting “Under brown umbrella” by Leonid Afremov.