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Tuesday, December 11, 2007

ABC Wed U for Umbrella





I bought this decorative Umbrella last yr when we went to Quartzite Arizona, as i am planing on having my last theme room done in Asian theme. But have not used it yet. Not sure that i will specially if the place sells .
This is the underside , i think this was made out of some kind of wood, i was thinking it might be bamboo but not sure. Be sure to click on photos to get larger images.

The invention of umbrellas is a gift to many as it is very useful especially for both seasons of summer and rainy days. The word umbrella is another term of parasol, which means protection from the heat of the sun that could cause damage to the skin and used in most Asian countries. Umbrellas have a rich history since its use traveled from one country to another. From its typical form, umbrellas now come in a variety of physical features especially on its form, colors, and design.

Umbrellas were first invented and used in China mostly by high-ranking people though not necessarily royalties. This was been proved when servants carried about twenty-four umbrellas before the Emperor to protect him from the rain during his hunting activity. The use of umbrellas has become the country’s tradition, which existed until now. After that, umbrellas were then carried to Japan through Korea and were introduced to Persia and Western world countries. On the other side, the other name of umbrellas called parasol conquered some of the sculptures of Nineveh where it appeared frequently. Various shapes of umbrellas had been found also in Egypt and some of the carved work in Persepolis, an ancient city of Persia. The use of umbrellas became popular also in Europe, Asia and other parts of the world until now.

Umbrellas are usually made of a wire frame that serves as its bone topped with a silk or linen fabric when it was first used but now made with water resistant fabric stretched until the tips of the wires, forming a cover. Its handle usually forms a “J” shaped for easy handling though there are also umbrellas without it but is using a typical handle. There are other types of umbrellas other than the parasol and the classic umbrellas we’re using everyday. The one we usually see in outdoor markets and sidewalk cafes on every table is called market umbrellas whose primary use is to offer shade to its customers. Beach lovers are very much familiar with the use of beach umbrellas as these umbrellas are typically large to protect one or more people against the sun. These beach umbrellas have skirted valance and spiky end made perfectly for anchoring the sand.

Patio umbrellas are umbrellas commonly used in ones backyard. Patio umbrellas can be used both with a patio table and could be stand-alones. These umbrellas can be as large as the beach umbrellas and can be smaller as the hand-held umbrellas. Unlike the other types of umbrellas, certain features are available in patio umbrellas like the tilting mechanism wherein the user can adjust the coverage area whenever the sun moves. Lights are also installed in patio umbrellas that can be plugged in the evening if there’s an occasion.

The typical hand-held umbrellas we’re using these days can be sometimes folded or not. Folded umbrellas are perfect for those who don’t want to bring bulky umbrellas as they can put it inside their bags. Umbrellas now come in a variety of colors and designs, made attractively to support the consumer’s taste.

25 comments:

dot said...

What a beautiful and unusual umbrella! I love that green color.

FO - 2 said...

Cute umbrella. :)
Umbrella`s are often used here.... ;)
Thank you for the facts.
Interesting. :)

Rune Eide said...

I should definitely have thought of umbrella myself!! We have never less than two meters of rain each year and the umbrella is more or less our symbol!

Great!

Gerald (Ackworth born) said...

those umbrellas look lovely but I wouldn't dare use them in the rain.

kml said...

It is very pretty - is it silk?

bonnie said...

That is so interesting. You did your research. I hate those little folding umbrellas. They are fine BEFORE they get wet. Then they are a problem.

K M F said...

very nice

mrsnesbitt said...

Umbrellas.......at my short height i find them difficult to use without taking somebody's eye out!
(Gosh I sound like my mother!)

imac said...

Nice one,


Mines Under the Trees.

Nessa said...

Green's my favorite color.

Ginnie Hart said...

So now we know, Lilli! :) What fun it would be to put all the different kinds/shapes/colors/designs of umbrellas all over the world, side by side. That would be quite the museum!

Andrea said...

Wow, an unbrella....who would have ever thought. LOL As you know I did an umbrella too.

Pete M said...

Great oriental umbrella, there art is amazing

Annie said...

Theme rooms? I stopped there and started dreaming about what themes I'd have if I were just energetic and creative enough to get started.

Happyone said...

Such a pretty umbrella and thanks for the little history lesson. :-)

Digital Flower Pictures said...

Wow. Great infomation. The umbrella is pretty but looks a little delicate.

rosemary said...

Good story....I love all of your Christmas decorations as well.

AVCr8teur said...

Beautiful umbrella. I guess people paid those little flowers by hand? So everyone is a little different. I think there's a photo on the underside of the umbrella where all those wooden sticks meet in the middle of the pole.

Oswegan said...

We don't need these in Oregon though right?

~Oswegan

FO - 2 said...

It`s not so cold here in Norway, where i live, at the moment.
We have had some frost.
But, right now it`s about 5 C.
We have a mild climate here in the western part of Norway through the winter, near the coast. Because of The Gulf stream.

Kerri Farley said...

Lovely umbrella....and I just caught the part about "if the place sells"....are you hoping to sell your business? If you posted that earlier I think I missed it.

Viola said...

Beautiful umbrella. It looks like an unfolding lotus leaf, with a buttefly and a dragonfly flying over it.

Neva said...

What a lot of info I did not know about the umbrella......and I love your Christmas decorations.

Hin Man said...

Nice one on your umbrella and I especially enjoy all the christmas touch that you have on your blog page.

Emery Roth said...

A history of bumbershoots! A lovely one in the photo too. Did you use it for decorating as you thought?