History of Umbrella

1- The umbrella is a very ordinary object. It keeps the rain and the sun off people. Most umbrellas fold up, so it is easy to carry them. However, the umbrella was not always an ordinary object. In the past, it was a sign of royalty or importance. Some African tribes still use umbrellas in this way. If someone carries an umbrella for a person and walks behind him, this means he is an important person like a king.

2- Umbrellas are very old. The Chinese had them more than 3,000 years ago. From there, umbrellas travelled to India, Persia, and Egypt. In Greece and Rome, men didn’t use them because they believed umbrellas were only for women. When the Spanish explorers went to Mexico, they saw the Aztec king using umbrellas. Also, English explorers saw Native American princess carrying umbrellas on the east coast of North America. It seems that people in different parts of the world invented umbrellas at different times.

3- England was probably the first country in Europe where ordinary people used umbrellas against the rain. England usually has rainy weather, and umbrellas are very useful there. Everybody uses umbrellas today. The next time you carry one, remember that for centuries only great men and women used them. Perhaps you are really a king or queen, a princess or prince.