Concept in Definition ABC

As its name suggests, an umbrella is an object that serves to protect us from rain. This everyday object has the following structure:

1) a convex surface that can be made of cloth or other material,

2) this surface is the one that allows to be covered from the rain and is attached to a frame of folding rods and

3) the different rods are arranged in an elongated central axis that ends in a handle so that it can be carried in the hand.

An object with more than three thousand years of history

The umbrella was invented in China around the 11th century BC. C. With the passage of time the ancient Egyptians and Greeks began to use it, but not to shelter from the rain but to protect themselves from the sun. The Egyptians who belonged to the pharaoh's court used it in some rituals and in the case of the Greeks it was a utensil that only women used.

The Romans called the umbrella umbráculum, which was used for sun protection. During the Middle Ages its everyday use practically disappeared. Starting in the 15th century, the French of the nobility began to display them as a sign of distinction and elegance. It was the English who finally used the umbrella to protect themselves from the rain, its true and main function. In the traditional aesthetics of the English gentleman, the umbrella has become a

symbol of class and distinction.

The Umbrella Revolution

In 2014, Hong Kong residents expressed their discontent against the government Chinese. Hong Kongers have a certain autonomy politics for having been part of the British Empire for over 100 years. Despite this, the Chinese government opposed certain social demands led by the students, who protested carrying colored umbrellas in their demonstrations. This phenomenon was coined by the press as "the Revolution of the umbrellas ".

What is the umbrella effect?

In English the expression "umbrella effect" or umbrella effect. With it an obvious idea is expressed: certain strategies serve as self-protection. Thus, a country that is part of the European Union is not isolated, as it is protected by the umbrella effect of the European Union.

This word is also used in biology, since the protection of some species implies in turn the protection of a ecosystem broader (for example, the Indian tiger is an animal protected by the authorities and this This circumstance makes its habitat equally protected by the umbrella effect provided by the Tiger).

Photos: Fotolia - Violad / Morphart

Umbrella Topics