In this article, we mainly introduce the origin of cultural umbrella, two legends about umbrellas and love stories brought by oil paper umbrellas, and the meaning given by cultural umbrella. Today, cultural umbrella has become part of our ancient national culture.
Origin of cultural umbrella:
China is the first country in the world to invent umbrellas, and it has a history of more than 3,500 years. In the post-Wei period, umbrellas were used for official ceremonies, and the common people called them "Luo Umbrellas". The size of the official rank is different, and the size and color of the umbrella are also different. The emperor used a yellow umbrella when he traveled, indicating "shade the people".
Umbrellas are the most commonly used tools for shading, rain and snow. It has a history of more than 4,000 years since its invention. The name of the umbrella was firstly seen in the "Southern History" and "Northern History" written by Li Yanshou in the Tang Dynasty, and it has been used until now.
Umbrellas were used for official ceremonies in addition to sunshade and rain protection in ancient times. For example, when emperors and generals traveled on tour, they all had umbrellas open to express "shade the people". Umbrella", "Cool Umbrella", "Wanmin Umbrella". Since the post-Wei period, the size and color of umbrellas are the same as those of black gauze hat and official uniforms. For example, in the Song Dynasty, the emperor used red umbrellas or yellow umbrellas. This habit was passed on to the Ming Dynasty.
Having said so much about umbrellas, how did it come about? Regarding the origin of the cultural umbrella, there are mainly two widely circulated folklores.
Two legends about the cultural umbrella
Legend one
According to legend, in the period of Yao and Shun more than 4,000 years ago, the most primitive umbrella appeared, which was made of plant leaves to cover the head to cover the sun and rain. The first artificial umbrella appeared in the Zhou Dynasty more than 3,000 years ago. According to legend, Zhou Wuwang Jifa was smart and wise, able to write and be good at martial arts. One year, King Wu of Zhou sent troops to attack King Zhou of Shang. It was a scorching summer. During the march, the soldiers could not resist the hot weather, and their morale was low. When they passed a lotus pond, everyone plucked leaves from the lotus pond and put on the head.
King Wu of Zhou looked at the soldiers wearing lotus leaves, and was suddenly inspired, so he invited a skilled craftsman to design something to block the sun according to the pattern of the skeleton of the lotus leaf, so that he could rest and escape the heat during the march. Craftsmen soon designed umbrellas that were shaped like lotus flowers, but could not open or close. Later, because it was inconvenient to carry, someone made a fixed umbrella on the car and followed the chariot to advance and retreat. Later, after the innovation and reform of the craftsmen, an umbrella that can be opened and closed was designed. This is the original umbrella, which is similar to today's umbrellas.
Legend two
It is said that Lu Ban worked for the people in the countryside every day, and his wife Yun sent him meals every day. When it rained, he was drenched in the rain, and when it was sunny, his skin was hot and painful. Lu Ban thought, it would be great to make something that can protect from the sun and rain! So, together with a few carpenters, he built a pavilion at intervals along the way, and built many of them. In this way, it is much more convenient for people who walk. In case of rain, they can take shelter in the pavilion for a while; If the sun is uncomfortable, they can enter the pavilion to rest for a while. However, the summer rain usually comes as soon as it arrives. His wife Yun said that it would be nice to have a pavilion with him. After listening to his wife's thoughts, Lu Ban paused, thinking about how to make a pavilion that he could carry with him.
One day, the weather was extremely hot, and Lu Ban was working outside in sweat under the scorching sun. Suddenly, he saw many children swimming in the lotus pond with a lotus leaf on their heads, so he asked curiously, "Why do you have a lotus leaf on your head?" With a lotus leaf on top, you won’t be afraid of the sun.” Lu Ban picked a lotus leaf and studied it carefully, and according to the pattern of the lotus leaf, he tied a movable shelf, and cut a piece of cloth on the bamboo shelf. Thus, the first umbrella was born.
The meaning given by cultural umbrella
With the development of the times and the continuous improvement of people's quality of life, its value has surpassed the practical scope, has a strong fashion color, and has become a symbol of emotion. Such a small umbrella is not just an ordinary rain gear, but also interprets the true meaning of "love" in cultural umbrella - family love, tender love, life love, market love and natural love.
In the light wind and drizzle, parents or grandparents standing at the school gate with umbrellas are waiting patiently for their children to leave school. This umbrella is soaked in the trickle love of the elders for the younger generation, and the ardent hope of the elders is revealed in the eyes. Love and hope compose family love by umbrellas.
Umbrellas in the city are turning over and over like that popular song, silk umbrellas, black cloth umbrellas, folding umbrellas, flower umbrellas with charming patterns, lattice umbrellas, UV protection umbrellas and paper umbrellas. These constantly refurbished umbrellas are no longer an ordinary rain gear, but a symbol of beauty and elegance, making people look younger and more beautiful, which is the love of life.
About the love story brought by the oil paper umbrella culture
Among the ancient Chinese myths and stories, the well-known love story "The Legend of the White Snake" with umbrella is the primary one. Bai Suzhen's thousands of years of practice has made her more beautiful than the women in the world, but she has no tears. As long as she collects all the tears, she can become a real fairy. Instructed by Guanyin Bodhisattva, Bai Suzhen came to the world in order to become an immortal, and collected eight crystal tears representing "birth, old age, sickness, death, love, hate, parting" in the world. Xu Xian encountered a heavy rain at the Broken Bridge of West Lake, reunited with Bai Suzhen, leaving behind the love of borrowing an umbrella and returning an umbrella. It was an ordinary encounter, but Xu Xian's scholar-like oil-paper umbrella propped up the space above Bai Niangzi's head, so he performed a love story that has been passed down through the ages. Xu Xian has no money, no power and no family property, Bai Niangzi values the warmth and pity in his oil-paper umbrella, which is the true love of cultural umbrella.
Especially since the beginning of the 21st century, the colors and styles of pop culture umbrellas have become more and more abundant, and the fabrics have become more and more particular. With different clothing, different seasons and different environments, they have a variety of uses. People can not help but be intoxicated by the culture of umbrellas. The invention and utilization of the umbrella is China's major contribution to world culture. Cultural umbrella is an indispensable part of our ancient national culture.
