I don’t own an umbrella – the hand-held, folding umbrella.  To be honest, I kind of see an umbrella as an unnecessary crutch.  To me, strong men don’t use umbrellas.  This overstates my feeling a little bit, but you get the idea.

Enter reality.  For the last two days I have been in the northeast and it has consistently rained the entire time.  When I say rained, I mean rained.

Rain is something that I know a little bit about, being from Seattle.  However, the rain during the last two days in New York State and Massachusetts is different from the rain that I am used to in Seattle.

In Seattle we talk about rain as “liquid sunshine.”  Our rain is more of a drizzle.  Rarely does it pour.  In fact, as I mentioned above, I don’t even own an umbrella, yet I have lived in Seattle for years.  How can that be, you may ask.

I am not alone in not having an umbrella in Seattle.  Most Seattleites do not use an umbrella even if they have one.  The surest way Seattleites can tell if you are a tourist or from out of town is if you are walking around using an umbrella.

However, given the rain of the last two days in New England, I can see the value of having an umbrella.

This got me thinking about the history and role of umbrellas depending upon where you are in the world.

For example, I spent the better part of three years in the Philippines in the mid 90’s where umbrellas were used all the time.  However, they weren’t used to shield themselves from rain, but rather to shield themselves from the harmful UV rays of the sun.

In fact, it was very common when playing golf in the Philippines to have a caddie to carry your golf clubs but also to have an “umbrella girl” who would walk the entire 18 holes, all the time holding an umbrella over the golfer’s head to provide protection from the rays of the hot sun.

In doing some research on umbrellas, it turns out that umbrellas have played and continue to play an important role in many different cultures.  Little did I know, but as a symbol an umbrella can represent shelter, protection, power, prosperity, royalty, prestige, femininity, fashion and dignity.

An umbrella is an important religious symbol.  In Buddhism and Hinduism the umbrella (known as the Chatra) is one of Eight Auspicious Signs.  It represents the dome of the sky, casting a protective shadow on the earth.  It is often depicted above the head of important deities and is considered a symbol of spiritual protection.

The Bible states (Romans 10:17) “Without our good umbrella of faith, we will be cold, wet and miserable when the storms come.”

In the Catholic church, during the Middle Ages an umbrellino, little umbrella, would be carried above the Holy Father during processions.  Its silk canopy is a symbol of the Pope’s authority and its design uses traditional papal colors of yellow and red.

In Japan a couple walking together sharing an umbrella is a sign of romantic love. The Japanese word aiaigasa means to share an umbrella.  Ai in Japanese means love.  Ai ai gasa literally means love, love, umbrella.

In China an umbrella is a symbol of power, because of their scarcity and high cost.

In Hong Kong, the umbrella has become a symbol of resistance, as citizens have used them to protect themselves from pepper spray and tear gas from police during street demonstrations.

In England, umbrellas are ubiquitous.  There an umbrella is called a brolly.

In France, it is called a parasol.

In America alone some 33 million umbrellas, worth $348 million, are sold each year.

My curiosity uncovered some other interesting facts about umbrellas.

Bumbershoot is slang for umbrella.  Bumber is a variation of the British brolly.  Shoot, because it looks somewhat like a parachute. Seattle has for years had a huge festival every Labor Day weekend called Bumbershoot.

February 10^th is National Umbrella Day!

There is a certain etiquette and manners associated with umbrellas.  Patricia Napier-Fitzpatrick, founder of the Etiquette School of New York, has these tips:

10 Tips to Avoid Umbrella Rage:

1. Carry an umbrella that’s appropriate for your size—one that you can manage. If you are a small person, don’t carry a golf umbrella.
2. Be considerate when you open your umbrella: Look both ways before you open it. Be mindful of anyone who may be standing nearby.
3. Be considerate of other pedestrians walking beside you, as well as those approaching you from a different direction.
4. Raise or lower your umbrella depending upon the otherpedestrians passing you. In other words, be flexible–be prepared to adjust the level of your umbrella to accommodate others.
5. Keep it closed if you are standing under an awningor going through a covered area where there is little room to pass others.
6. Close your dripping umbrella before entering a building or public transportation.
7. Park your umbrella in a stand or place that is designated for umbrellas when inside.
8. Carry your closed umbrella cautiously: When you are not using it, always hold it vertically, with the pointed end down. Don’t tuck it horizontally with the ends sticking out ready to stab someone.
9. Properly dispose of broken umbrellas—don’t toss them angrily into the gutter.
10. Be patient with your fellow pedestrians. Try not to get angry at others who may not know the rules of umbrella etiquette. Besides, a little rain never hurt anyone.

Superstitions surround umbrellas too.  For example, it is considered bad luck to open an umbrella indoors.

Bottom line, I have to admit that my attitude toward umbrellas is way off base.  I am embarrassed to say that my attitude to date reveals my lack of knowledge and respect for the role that umbrellas have played and continue to play in many religions and cultures across the world.  As a result, going forward I will respect umbrellas, value them and use them when the situation calls for it.

Umbrellas.