This piece intends to introduce the application, craftsmanship, maintenance and culture of red oil paper umbrella designs in ancient and current China. In fact, red oil paper umbrella design is also popular in Asia nowadays.
The application of red oil paper umbrella designs. Why red oil paper umbrella applies in those occassions.
Oil-paper umbrella is a traditional craft in ancient China. It can be traced back to the Han Dynasty more than 2,000 years ago, and the function of oil-paper umbrella is not only to shade from the sun and the rain, but also to have many symbolic meanings. For example, the oil-paper umbrella is round, which usually symbolizes reunion, and in ancient marriage customs, people should hold red oil paper umbrella when pick up the bride, which means to block evil and disasters; In addition, red or purple oil-paper umbrellas symbolize longevity, so it is also deeply loved by some old people, and oil-paper umbrellas are used to cover the statues during sacrifices.
Craftsmanship of red oil paper umbrella designs
The red oil-paper umbrella design is a real technical work, not only to know the production, but also to know the selection of materials, a red good oil-paper umbrella is inseparable from good materials. Generally speaking, there are three types of materials for oil-paper umbrellas. The first type is the bamboo used to make the umbrella skeleton. It is necessary to use 3-5 years old bamboo, not Hsinchu or old bamboo, because Hsinchu is too tender and old bamboo is too old. They are not suitable for brittleness; The second type is umbrella cloth, which is oil paper. The best oil paper is Yunpi paper produced in Shanxi. It has excellent toughness, and it is light and strong, so it is often in short supply; The "soul" of the oil-paper umbrella, so be sure to use the best quality tung oil, namely the oil produced in Changde, Hunan.
Finally, paste the processed oil paper on the umbrella skeleton. It should be noted that the umbrella skeleton is also repeatedly treated with tung oil.
How to maintain those red oil paper umbrellas for their special designs
After the oil-paper umbrella is made, remember not to leave it unused for a long time, because the experience of the master tells us that there are no broken oil-paper umbrellas, only broken oil-paper umbrellas, and this is also the first secret of maintaining oil-paper umbrellas. The oil-paper umbrella is used to deal with the rain, so as long as it rains, take it out and use it, so that it can accept the wetness of the rain, and the oil-paper umbrella will not become brittle when it dries.
The second tip, if it hasn't rained for a long time, don't forget that you still have an oil-paper umbrella at home. Open it and wipe it with a wet towel several times. Over time, the umbrella will become brighter. Because water can nourish the oil paper, let the tung oil and oxygen form an oxide layer film, so it can better protect the umbrella surface of the oil paper umbrella. Therefore, it is necessary to moisten the umbrella even if it does not rain.
The third secret is to be careful not to expose to the sun after the rain, because the temperature of the red oil-paper umbrella after being wet by the rain is very low. If it suddenly encounters something very hot, the water will evaporate quickly, causing the red oil-paper umbrella to form cracks and wait for the next time it is opened. It will break, so the oil-paper umbrella can only be dried after it is wet, not sun-dried or baked. In addition, the oil-paper umbrella should be handled with care, so as not to hurt the skeleton.
To sum up, as long as the red oil-paper umbrella is well maintained, it will definitely work better than modern umbrellas. Nowadays, although the oil-paper umbrella is no longer a necessity of life, it is also listed as an intangible cultural heritage as a traditional craft, so it is also worthy of inheritance and promotion.
Culture of red oil paper umbrella designs
The significance of red oil-paper umbrellas design represents festivity. In many parts of our country, the custom of giving red oil-paper umbrellas is still maintained for birthdays, marriages, childbirth, housewarming, high rises or etc.
The Meaning and Customs of the Red Umbrella for Marriage
When we attend a wedding, we may see that it is sunny, but the bride is wearing a red umbrella. Do you understand why?
Reason 1: It symbolizes "not fighting against the sky" and expresses awe for the sky, because in ancient times, it was believed that the bride was the biggest people on the day of marriage, but it was no bigger than the sky, for the sake of good luck. At the same time, red represented joy and good luck, in order not to anger the god, instead of putting on a red umbrella.
Reason 2: In ancient times, brides used red hijabs to cover their faces, and no one could look at them except the groom who could lift his hijab to look at the bride's face. This was a sign of shyness for women in ancient times, and they also prayed for auspiciousness. Today's society is more open, but in ancient times, rules could not be forgotten, so he replaced the red hijab with a red oil paper umbrella.
What is the meaning of holding a red oil paper umbrella when getting married?
Before the Ming and Qing dynasties, foreign umbrellas were not imported from abroad, and red oil-paper umbrellas were used for dowry. Legend has it that a red oil-paper umbrella painted with tung oil as a dowry can ward off evil and disease. This umbrella has become an antiquity with the development of the times, and it is hard to find traces now. Nowadays, the umbrellas are cloth umbrellas, and there are many styles, but no matter what kind of umbrellas are, they must have the red happy word on the umbrella.
1. Red umbrella instead of red hijab
In the past, it was the matchmaker who carried the bride on her back. This was to prevent the bride's suffocation from "shattering the sky", so she covered her head with a red scarf and her feet could not touch the ground. In modern society, red carpets or rice bags are spread on the ground for the bride to step on, while the red satin hijab is replaced by a red umbrella.
2. Do not compete with God
In ancient weddings, the bride should be walked to the sedan chair (ceremonial car) by the female elders, and the red oil paper umbrella should protect her, because the bride has a great position on the wedding day, but she must not compete with the god.
3. Three, open branches and loose leaves
"Umbrella" and "scatter" have the same pronunciation, which means to spread the branches and leaves, and look forward to blessing the newlyweds to have more children.
4. Shelter from the wind and rain
In many places, the wedding custom usually starts: When the bride takes the first step out of the door, letting the bridesmaid open the red umbrella, and then other people escort the bride to the wooden car, which means to shield the bride from the wind and rain and avoid being troubled by evil spirits.
Dos and Don'ts of holding a red oil paper umbrella
1. The color of the umbrella is red the best
The big red is full of positive emotions such as justice and enthusiasm. Where there is righteousness, demons cannot invade.
2. You cannot open an umbrella in the house
Opening an umbrella in the house will hurt the peaceful atmosphere of the wedding. Generally, the umbrella is only opened at the door for the exit ceremony.
3. Can not use the old umbrella
You can't use an old umbrella, and you can't rent or borrow it. It must be a new umbrella that has not been used before, because this is the most precious time in life, and no one likes to use other people's second-hand luck.
4. Red oil paper umbrellas cannot be given to newlyweds
The homonym of umbrella is scattered. Sending umbrellas means to disperse and break up, so you must remember not to give umbrellas to new people.
In current China or other Asian countries, due to the special design and material of oil paper umbrella, many Asian men/ladies would love to use this type of umbrella to dance and take photos.
In the end, the popularity of red oil paper umbrella design is largely for their culture, decor and application. Follow us and get more culture essentials of China.
