Coastin Carl
β National UMBRELLA Day ORIGIN & HISTORY
National UMBRELLA Day is celebrated on the 10th Day in February.
The umbrella and its usage have been seen throughout many cultures all over the world. They were utilized to serve the affluent, wealthy, upper class, and royals. The Ancient Egyptians would use parasols made from palm leaves, feathers, and stretched papyrus. Servants would be made to carry the umbrella as a shield against the harsh sun over their master’s heads.
In Ancient Greek women made use of an umbrella a feminine item that would preserve the fairness of the skin of the nobility from the sun. Men considered this effeminate since it was part of women’s beauty routine. Instead, Men used hats instead at the time to shield themselves from rain and sun.
In Ancient Rome the umbrella was used also by women in similar ways to the Greeks but they treated the umbrella material with oils for protection from the rain. The umbrella of Europe took its origin from China which gained recognition due to heavily trafficked trade routes back and forth from Asia.
Umbrellas in China had a bowed canopy kept up by a supporting frame that was connected to a middle handle. The use of multiple umbrellas was used to cover imperial carriages. They used the royal entourage umbrellas during times of rain and in times when guarding against the sun. They were the first to make a collapsible umbrella. China today is chiefly responsible for manufacturing the majority of umbrellas used today. There are also recorded research and artifacts from India and South America using umbrellas as well.
Umbrellas in 1710 were lightweight. They were constructed by French merchant Jean Marius. The opening and closing is the predecessor to the kind of umbrella we use today. People back then would rent them, but as time went by they gained popularity and so people wanted to buy their own personal umbrella.
In 1750, Jonas Hanway, an Englishman, wanted to utilize a sturdy umbrella that was viewed as also being a masculine item that could resist wind and rainy conditions. They would be seen as being useful for England’s wet conditions. This umbrella also had a handle with a hook so it could be carried when it wasn’t raining.
Umbrellas of today are made from high-grade waterproof material. The most popular is the classic push mechanism; the automatic push button which enables a person to one-handedly open an umbrella. Pocket umbrellas are easy to carry and are often automatically opened but are kinda flimsy, bubble umbrellas that are clear allow for visibility when it’s raining to see your surrounding, and high wind umbrellas are designed to hold up in heavier wind conditions even when it’s quite blustery out by using more durable materials.
π§οΈ HOW to Celebrate & Observe National UMBRELLA Day?
Not sure how to LOVE the day? We’ve got a few interesting ideas to consider that may help get you started.
Here are some activities that you can do on National UMBRELLA Day!
π OPEN up
Take out your favorite umbrella in the rain. Even better, open up one on a sunny day. It really helps with the sun. Just make sure it’s not clear!
π WATCH the umbrella take center stage
Watch movies like Mary Poppins or Singing in the Rain.
π RAISE Social Awareness
Use social media posts with the hashtags #NationalUmbrellaDay, #UmbrellaDay, #Umbrellas, #Parasols, #SpecialInterestHolidays, #FebruaryHolidays, #Holiday, #FindADayToLOVE, #iHEARTdays to support the importance of celebrating, promoting, and sharing with the world why you β€οΈ National UMBRELLA Day.
LEARN more about the history of UMBRELLAS
AN UMBRELLA STORY
THE IMPACT OF UMBRELLAS ON SOCIETY & ARCHITECTURE
SEVEN Fun Facts you never knew about National UMBRELLA Day
- Over 33 million umbrellas are sold in the United States each year and most of them are made in Shangyu China which boasts over 1,000 umbrella factories.
- Umbrella comes from the Latin word “umbros” meaning shadow or shade.
- They have been used for defense or as a weapon for some time usually with a secret blade in the shaft. Spy agencies like the KGB were known to carry deadly poison in altered parasols. And French President Nicolas Sarkozy started carrying one coated with Kevlar rather than Teflon as a precaution.
- One of the most recognizable hats in the world functions similar to that of a parasol. In fact, the word sombrero means “shade maker”.
- Many theologies around the world have adopted umbrellas as a part of their ceremonies or religious processions. In fact, Tibetans worship their goddess Sitapatra, whose name meansΒ “the white umbrella”.
- An umbrella apparently gives you more credibility! Widespread European use of the umbrella was promoted heavily by German Princess Palatine in 1712. She encouraged the aristocracy to accessorize with an umbrella.
- In 1768, Paris magazines reported that going without an umbrella was considered absolutely vulgar!
Future DATES for National UMBRELLA Day
| Year | Date | Day of the Week |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | February 10 | Friday |
| 2024 | February 10 | Saturday |
| 2025 | February 10 | Monday |
| 2026 | February 10 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | February 10 | Wednesday |
π Umbrella FAQ
What are the different TYPES of umbrellas available?
- β’ Classic Umbrella: The most common type of modern foldable parasols.
- β’ Pocket Umbrella: Small, lightweight, and portable; can be carried easily although not much help in strong winds or heavy rain.
- β’ Artistic Umbrella: Usually made out of rare materials with an intricate craftsmanship carrying a hefty price tag and not much practicality.
Why we LπVE National UMBRELLA Day
Umbrellas protect us from getting soaking wet and being sun-scorched. So of course we have learned to be appreciative of them. They have such a rich history for a very long time throughout the world so they deserve a day to honor our longtime right-hand rain sidekick. Perhaps have a toast with a drink to our trusty umbrella and put a mini umbrella in it. Then reflect on how it kept you from getting drenched or winding up with a painful sunburn. Don’t forget to wear sunblock!
