China Umbrella Museum

China Umbrella Museum -- Located in the Gongchen Bridge West Historical and Cultural District With Gongchen Bridge as the landmark, the museum forms a historical and cultural museum complex together with the China Scissors Museum, China Fan Museum, and others. The museum is divided into six sections: 1. The origin of the Chinese umbrella This is a question that cannot be clearly explained at present. In ancient China, there were many legends and documents about the invention of umbrellas. Although these materials cannot give an accurate answer, speculative views are displayed here. Perhaps one day, your view will solve the mystery of the origin of the Chinese umbrella and become a recognized conclusion. 2. Oil-paper umbrellas and oil-cloth umbrellas Before the Han Dynasty, umbrellas were large in size, and the umbrella surface may have been woven from silk and bird feathers. Due to their high price, they were mainly popular in high society. In the Han Dynasty, with the invention of paper, umbrellas underwent fundamental changes. When paper was used as the umbrella surface, umbrellas became a consumable item. A layer of tung oil was applied to the surface of the paper umbrella to enhance its water resistance, and it was called an oil-paper umbrella. After the rise of the cotton textile industry, oil-cloth umbrellas made of cotton cloth as the umbrella surface material also appeared. They were more durable and expensive, and were very popular. In modern times, craft umbrellas with clear aesthetic functions have developed, bringing people the enjoyment of beauty, while also carrying a touch of nostalgia. 3. Beautiful West Lake silk umbrellas After the mid-Tang Dynasty, with the popularity of silk, silk umbrellas became more popular. In modern times, Hangzhou West Lake silk umbrellas emerged as the most beautiful branch of the silk umbrella family, becoming a prominent representative of Chinese silk umbrellas. 4. Umbrella culture The cultural connotation of umbrellas formed in historical accumulation is extensive, profound, and complex. Its system, form, and color have all aroused people's infinite imagination. It is both part of the ceremonial system that distinguishes people and a medium that connects people with common wishes. It brings people joy and good luck, but it also becomes an unspeakable taboo in folk mentality. It is in this diverse emotion that rich and diverse umbrella cultures have formed in various places. 5. Umbrellas going global In some areas outside China, umbrellas appeared very early. In ancient Egypt, umbrellas were part of the pharaoh's ceremonial system, and in ancient Greece, umbrellas were special tools for noble women to shield themselves from the sun. It is generally believed that umbrellas, as real life tools, originated in China, both in the East and the West. In the Tang Dynasty, Chinese umbrellas were introduced to Korea and Japan, and were further developed in Japan. From the mid-16th century, Chinese umbrellas began to enter Europe sporadically, but it was not until the mid-17th century that umbrellas began to enter the lives of Europeans. Umbrellas going global not only brought convenience to people in various countries, but also enriched local cultures. Today, many regions around the world have formed their own unique umbrella cultures. 6. Modern umbrellas Until the second half of the 17th century, European umbrellas were still heavy, and their use was more about showing status than shielding from the sun and rain. This situation underwent fundamental changes with the successful development of curved steel rib umbrella frames in the 19th century. With the advent of umbrellas that could be opened and closed freely, umbrellas began to truly enter people's daily lives. In the process of modernization in China, modern metal umbrellas quickly replaced traditional oil-paper umbrellas and became the mainstream. Although big red oil-paper umbrellas are still beautiful and vivid, they have finally entered the list of intangible cultural heritage and are gradually moving away from people's lives.