Page 385 - A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols BIG Book
P. 385
U
Umbrella
U
Umbrella
yu san
The umbrella is one of the eight Buddhist symbols; it corresponds to the divine
spleen. Umbrellas were held over dignitaries and, at least among the minority peoples of
South China, came to be regarded as symbolic of the rank held by these officials, and of
their integrity. In the marriage ceremony an umbrella was held over the bridegroom
during his ritual progress to his bride. Placed over the bed of a woman in labour, the
umbrella will keep off evil spirits. There is also a story about the spirit of a dead woman
which wanted to cross the sea to Taiwan. As the spirit could not do this by itself, it hid in
the umbrella of a merchant who was about to make the crossing.
Folding umbrellas have been known in China for over two thousand years. ‘Multi-
decker’ umbrellas were also in use.
Folding umbrella
