The Dickinson press., 1889-02-02
THE SACRED UMBRELLA.
EVOLUTION OF THE COMMON RAINY
DAY ARTICLE OF TODAY.

Tho Reverence Paid to 1t in Early Times.
The Connection Between Trees and
Umbrcllas-A Primitive Model - The
Haltlachino-A Throne.
Referring to tho traces of the singular
reverence bestowed on tho umbrella as
proved from the pre- Christian sculptures OF
northern India, none are more curious thai.
those which suggest the retention of primi
tive tree worship, in the earliest days of pure
Buddhism. have two sketches from the
gatcways of the Sanchi Topc, showing how
l.SO0 years ago u sacred flower laden sal tree
(Shorea robusta,, beneath which the Gautama
Budtlha died at Kasia, was hung with gar
lands and approached by crowds of wor-
Slippers both human and celestial. But the
point which concerns our present purpose is
the very prominent position occupied by the
umbrella. In one case the tree is overshad
owed by very large chatta. In the other,
which is sculptured on a pillar of the same
gateway, two chattas combine their honor
comforting power on the sacred tree. In each
case these ministers of dignity are themselves
adorned with garlands. Another Indication
of the same reverence is to be seen ON a
sculptured stone at the Great Tope of Buddha
Gaya, erected b. c. $50, in front of the sacred
Bo-tree (Flius religiosa), beneath which
Gautama attained to tho Buddhahood, and
which is still growing! Here, also, the UNI
brcllas on either side of the tree are adorned
with garlands.
Passing to southern India, we find that OH
some of the ancient Buddhist sculptures at
the Amravati Tope, the highest deal of honor
is expressed by the use of the sacred lotus
leaf as sl,nshadc tthe ribbed leaf cup being
highly suggestive of that umbrella FORM.
Although the upper part of one of these
sculptured relic shrines is broken, so that the
original number is uncertain, there still 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 Dagoba. In
point of fact, the connection between trees
ind umbrellas is not s.o far fetched as might
at first sight appear, for the primary idea of
the umbrella is undoubtedly derived from a
shady tree umbrella, from u,nbra, shade),
with pendant boughs dropping from an up
right stem, as in 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 cases perfectly
upright palm trees, tree ferns and papawas.
SO closely has this primitive model been ad
i4i'ittt W ny luc pettSlulS VI ullC icl
,al that their great clumsy chattas (llnbrel
la1 consist chiefly of u framework of bamboo
covered with leaves, or else thatched with
grass.
The usual ingenuity of tho Chinese and
Japanese was not long in devising an ad
vance on the original idea. Many centuries
must have elapsed since they bethought them
OF n method for converting leaves or bark
into stout paper. So while they retain the
idea OF the tree i'll the strong bamboo handle
and framework of split bamboo, they SUI,
si,tute Il thick waterproof paper for the
primitive green leaves.
Tie ASsyrian bas reliefs show slaves bold
IN, richly ornumented umbrella above ,h..
head of the n.onarch, not only in scenes OF
peace, but cven III times of war 1t appears
| to be fringed with tassels and is provided on
one side with an embroidered curtain. In
| these sculptures this mark of distinction is
Reserved exclusively for the monarch, and it
never overshadows any other person, how
ever eminent. The same thing is observed
Ill the sculptures of Babylon and Nineveh. in
which the king alone is thus distinguished.
vi the ancient Mexican emperors it is like
Wise recorded that not only We're they borne
by relays of great mobiles, but also that four
more mobiles of high estate were appointed to
uphold the sacred umbrella which added dig
nifty to the imperial procession.
Reverting to medieval days we find that
Persia likewise fully recognized the honor
co:ierring power of this symbol, as is fully
| pro. cn by tie ancient title which has ever
been bestowed OH her high diguitames.
namely, Satrap or Chatrapa, which dixie the
titles of the Burmese kings and the Malratt,
chiefs simply means Lord of the Um
brella" Indeed, it WIS from Persia that III.
idea of carrying u canopy Of some rich stun
;:boye any object to be reverencei seems iil'-l
To have reached Europe, the Baldachiml 9.
ecclesiastical art having derived their na:ilt
from Baldach, the ancient Persian name @.
the city of Basdad. The baldachino, which
is simply Il richly embroidered canopy sup
ported by four poles carried by four bearers
is now familiar to us only i'll the gorscous
professions of the Greek or Roman Catholic
Grated host or sacred images.
But in the middle ages it figured in III!
solemn ocessions-coronations, marriages
funerals, triumphal progresses of great mel
Just as we may still see i'll eastern lands
where the chief mobiles of the kingdom a.,
those selected for the honor of supporting th
splendid canopy which overshadows th
royal litter, OF the funeral car whereon i
laid the honored dead. At the present d,,
Queen Victoria's canoped throne may b
cited US development of the imperial un,
brella; the speakers chair in parliament unt
the bishops throne in many cathedrals slios
clearly how this honorable distinction b.
came naturalizcd on British sol.--C. +
Gordon Cumming i'll English Illustrates