Umbrella Styles Over The Years

Umbrellas have been around for at least 3,000 years, in lands as far-flung as India, China, Egypt and Greece. The word “umbrella” comes from the Latin word umbra, which means shade.

Umbrellas were initially used as a sunshade, like the canopy of a tree. It was also a status symbol; in countries like Myanmar and Egypt, the number of tiers on an umbrella denoted personal wealth and power. At the turn of the nineteenth century, the umbrella became a purely functional item used for protection from the rain. Take a peek at the changing styles and significance of umbrellas from around the world.

An oil-paper umbrella signifies good luck according to Hakka custom. At the turn of the fifth century in China, an umbrella was invented that had a frame of wood or bamboo, with a canopy of paper made from the bark of a mulberry tree that was made waterproof with a coat of oil. The model subsequently spread across Asia to Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and Laos. Umbrellas were used in sunny and rainy weather, and in ceremonies – they still hold traditional significance in Chinese and Japanese cultures.

Elstner Hilton captured an umbrella-maker at work during his stay in Japan between 1914 and 1918. In the photo, he is making the traditional oil-paper umbrella that is made of bamboo, oil and Japanese paper. 

In Kerala, a few decades ago, it wasn’t considered dignified for the upper class to tie a turban around their head.  Instead, they would carry an umbrella made out of dried palm leaves with a long bamboo handle, whose length signified one’s social standing. After the British came to India, these all-natural umbrellas were replaced by the black, European umbrella. 

Lace parasols were used by women to shield themselves from the sun. Its origin can be traced back to sixteenth-century Europe. Society’s richest women owned umbrellas in various hues, expensive as they were. While riding in carriages, the women made sure that the roof of the carriage was pulled down, so that they could flaunt their lace parasols. Today, lace parasols are associated with being feminine and classy. 

Waterproof umbrellas gained popularity between 1685 and 1705. They were employed by coffee houses to shield customers from the rain while walking to their carriages. It was initially known as an ”umbrellow”, from the French word ombrelle, meaning parasol. 

Of course, the first umbrellas were made to shield one from the sun. It was only in the eighteenth century that umbrellas were associated with protection from the rain, and parasols were used as a sunshade.  

Umbrellas have since evolved to suit a variety of purposes. An umbrella hat has a canopy to protect one from the sun and rain, except that it is hands-free. The canopy is connected to a head band via four small shafts.

The Senz storm umbrella can withstand 100kmh winds. It is an all-weather umbrella and its unique design prevents the umbrella from going inside-out, making it windproof. Introduced to the public in 2006, this umbrella has since gained a lot of popularity. 

The cute, Tiki-inspired cocktail umbrella is a parasol made out of a toothpick and paper,  and used since the 1930s as a decorative item. Its origin can be traced back to two Tiki bars that opened in 1934, Don the Beachcomber in Hollywood, and Trader Vic’s in San Francisco.

The Tiki umbrella, made from bamboo and dried leaves, was first put up on Caribbean beaches. 

Ceremonial umbrellas are a reminder of the umbrella's long association with prestige. One such ritual can be seen at Thrissur Pooram, one of the most popular temple festivals in South India, which has its origins two centuries ago. It is held at the Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur every year. One of the major attractions of Thrissur Pooram is “Kudamattam”, when sets of bright, colourful umbrellas are displayed by men atop the elephants. The temples are highly competitive and secretive about their umbrella designs, which are kept secret until the 'changing of umbrellas’. This takes place in the afternoon when the elephants face each other in an open ground in front of the famous temple.