Posted 2017/3/22
It is a pictographic character shaped like an open umbrella, with the cover on top, frames in the middle and the handle (the vertical line) at the bottom. The traditional and simplified versions of the character are the same in both meaning and structure.
People used to make an umbrella using frameworks of stringed bamboo slips and a cover of waxed paper or cloth. In ancient China, an umbrella was not only a daily-use article, but also something with derivative sociological meanings.
When the emperor or high-ranking officials were traveling outside, they were covered with a canopy, something similar to an umbrella cover. It was a symbol of protecting the people. An umbrella also embodies prosperity and wealth, so it is used in traditional Chinese weddings. In addition, umbrellas are widely used in operas, singing and dancing performances and acrobatic shows.
