13th March 2025 Jen & Beena
Hi everyone, I am thrilled to share a painting that my dear friend Jen created during the lockdown. It’s a beautiful piece that resonates with me, depicting a girl with an umbrella. This painting holds a special place in my heart, and I’m excited to share it with you all.
Let’s delve into the fascinating history of the umbrella. This ingenious invention, designed to shield us from the elements, has a rich and intriguing past. The word ‘umbrella’ has its roots in the Latin word ‘umbra’, which means shadow. The first recorded usage of the term dates back to 1611. In some regions, it’s affectionately known as the ‘Brolly’. Other terms like ‘parasol’ and the quirky ‘Bumbershoot’ (American slang) are also used to refer to this versatile device.
The earliest known parasol dates back to 2450 BC. One of the earliest-dated paintings shows an Ethiopian princess protected by a parasol. In those days, high-ranking people used parasols, while the rest soaked in the sun or rain. The umbrella is ubiquitous in most countries and has undergone many changes in design. In 2005, we had an umbrella designed to weather strong winds. The material used to make an umbrella has changed over time: we now have tiny, lightweight, foldable umbrellas to giant-sized ones used during golfing.
I hope this little story about umbrellas interests some of you. What’s your favorite umbrella-related fact? I certainly learned a lot writing these thoughts. My favorite were the bamboo umbrellas, which were lightweight and pretty looking🫠🫠.