Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-08
THE SACRED UMBRELLA.
EVOLUTION OF THE COMMON RAINY
DAY ARTICLE OF TO-DAY.

TIE Reverence Paid tn n In Early rinea
The Connection Between Trees and
Umbreilas-A Primitive Model - The
Dslsiachilo-A Throne.
Referring 20 the traces CT the singular
reverence bestowed on the umbrella a.
proved from the pre-ChriStian sculptures OF
northern India, none ara more curious than
those which suggest the retention OF print
tive tree worship in the earliest days Of pure
Buddhism | have two sketches from the
gareways OF the Sa,schi Tope, showing how
1850 years ago sacred flower laden sal tree
(Shorea robus;al. beneath which the Gau;ana
Buddha died az kasla. was hung with gar
lands and approached hy crowds Of wcr-
slippers both human and celestial But ths
point which concerns Cur present purpose il
the very prominent position occupied by the
umbrella In one case the tree Is cvershad-
owed by q very large chatta- In the other,
which is sculpsured on pillar Of the saina
gateway. two chattas combine their hes.or
comforting power on the sacred tree In each
case these ministers OF dignity ara themselves
adorned with garlands Another indication
Of the same reverence is 10 be seen on a
scuiptured stone az the Great Tope OF Bwddha
Cara. erected B. c. $50, in front Of the Sacred
Bo-tree illus religioSal, beneath which
Gautama attained 10 the Buddhahood, and
which is still growingl Here, alSo, the UNI
brellas on either side OF the tree are adorned
with garlandS
Passing to southern India. we find chat on
some OF the ancient Buddhist sculptures al
the Amravati Tone, the highest deal Of honor
is expressed by the use OF tho sacred lotui
leaf as sunshsde che ribbed leaf cup being
highly suggestive Of that umbrella forrn)
Although the upper part of one Of thess
sculptured relic shriues is broken, 50 that ths
original n, Der is uncertain. there Sill re-
main eight of these overshadowing leaves,
while on another a forest of about fifty UNI
brella shaped lotus leaves are thus shown,
piled all over the summit of a Dssuba In
point OF fact, the connection between trees
and umbrellas is not So lar fetched as might
at first sight appear, for the primary idea of
the umbrella is undoubtedly derived from n
shady tree umbrella, from unbra, shade),
with pendant ooughs dropping from an up-
right stem, as ia the weeping willow. or the
circular cluster Of long fronds which crown
the slender stem Of each member OF the great
families of tall and in most c..sss perfectly
upright palm trees. tree ferns aid papawas
So closely has this primitive model been All
hered 10 by the peasants OF Burrrah and Ben
gal that their great clumsy chattas tumbrcl-
las consist chiefly Of framework, OF bamboo
covered with leaves, or else tEatched with
grass.
The usual ingenuity Of the Chinese and
japanese was not long ia devisins an adj
vance on the original idea Many centuries
must have elapsed since they bcthought them
Of a method for converting leaves or bark
into stout paper So while they retain the
idea OF the tree in the strong bamboo handle
and framework OF split bamboo, they sub
stltute a thick waterproof paper for the
primitive green leaves.
The Assyrian has reliefs show slaves hold
ing n richly ornamented umbrella above the
head of the monarch, not only in scenes OF
peace, but even in times OF war. 1t appears
10 be fringed with tasseis and is provided on
one side with an embroidered curtain. Iii
these sculptures this mark Of distinction il
reserved exclusively for the monarch, and it
never overshadows any other person. how
ever eminent. The same thing is observed
in tho sculptures Of Babylon and Nueyeh. in
which the king alone Is thus distinguished
OF the ancient Mexican enperors IL 4 like
wise recorded that not only were they borne
more mobiles of high estate were appointed 10
uphold the sacred umbrella which added dig
nifty 10 the imperial procession.
Revertiug % medieval days we find that
Persia likewise fully recognized the honor
comforting power Of this symbol, as is fully
proven by the ancient title which has ever
been bestowed Der high dgultar1es,
namely. Satrap or Chatrapa, which Gike tho
titles Of Tiur.,,.s.. ines ouI ba Nahr.f+.
chiefs simply means Lord Of the I'm
brellan Indeed, it was from Persia that tho
idea of carrying a canopy Of some rich stun
above any object q. b. revereucei seems trst
TO have reached Europe, tbs Baldachiui of
ecclesiastical art having derived their name
from Baldach, the ancient Persian name of
the city Of Bagdad The baidachino, which
is simply richly embroidered canopy. sup
ported by four poles, carried by four bearers,
is now familiar to us only in the gorgeous
professions of the Greek OF Roman Catholic
churches, whore il is borne above the collse-
Grated host or sacred images
But in the middle ages it figured in al
solemn processions-coronatiou marriages,
funerals, triumphal progresses u great men
Just as we may still see in eastern lands.
where the chief MOBILES Of tie Kingdom arc
those selected for the honor Of supporting tho
splendid canopy which ovcrshaJows ths
royal hitter, or the funeral car whareon il
laid the honored dead At the present day
Queen VictoriA's canop1ei throne may be
cited az a development of tie imperial urfi-
bre,la; the speaker chair Ia parliament and
the bishops tarone IN many cathsdTals show
clearly how thls honorable distinction -
came naturaIized on British sole. f.
Gordon Cumming ia English Illustrated
Magazine.