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The Chinese carried large umbrellas to shield high ranking officials 1700 years ago, though they were already popular in Southeast Asia.  A similar umbrella worked its way through Korea, then Japan and Persia and into Western Europe by way of the silk trade. 

Whether it’s called an umbrella, bumbershoot, brolly (slang in Great Britain and Australia), or parasol, these collapsible coverings from the sun and rain have been around quite awhile.  The word umbrella is from the Latin word umbra, meaning shadow or shade.  Para in parasol means prepare or shield and sol refers to the sun.

While I was writing The Goodbye Lie, I thought about calling the parasol, which Victorian ladies carried in the bright light of day to shield them from the sun, a sunbrella.   Perhaps they did, but through research, I have learned sun umbrella or sun shade were also common terms.  Whatever the name, parasols were made of white eyelet lace or black satin or sometimes the same fabric as a lady's gown.  

My husband's Aunt Ruthie gave me an antique parasol of black satin with a matching ruffle around the edge.   The handle is patterned silver in a triangular shape with a black tassel.   It is surprisingly sturdy and comes with a matching black satin sleeve with a snap to keep it in pristine condition.

our Marketing Wizard turned parasol model

When I look at that parasol, I wonder who might have carried it and where? Did she ride in a covered buggy with the parasol tip on the floor and the handle in her gloved hand? Or was she in an open wagon, which necessitated the shade of a parasol to protect her skin.   Perhaps she carried the parasol in a flowery meadow while on a picnic with her special someone?

Like delicate hand fans, Victorian parasols were sometimes used to convey messages.

On the other hand, lowering the parasol in hasty fashion sent the silent but heartfelt message: Your presence is no longer enjoyable.  Please go away!

Twirling the parasol on the shoulder meant the lady was carefree, happy and approachable, particularly if it was on her right shoulder.

Holding the wand of the parasol in vertical position with one's left hand, like Mary Poppins, kept the right hand free for welcoming new acquaintances in hopes they might become friends or lovers.   Needless to say, this was quite bold.

Should a lady collapse her parasol and hold it in the middle with her right hand while its tip pointed in the direction she was headed, her desire was for her gentleman to follow.   Likewise, a parasol folded in the left hand might mean she wanted to speak to him the first moment she stopped.

Dipping the full open parasol in front of her face and bodice in the guise of shielding herself from the breeze, she might flirtatiously peek over the top at the man across the way, examining him in a demure fashion.

Like the hoop skirt, until you actually wear or use a parasol, you won't know the fun, the complications, and the abundance of femininity it will produce in you.   Next time you have a party, make it a costume or tea or garden party and go Victorian!   A long skirt, lace blouse, dangling earbobs, a big hat trimmed with ribbon and flowers, and a parasol or brightly colored umbrella on which you've glued or sewn lace and silk flowers around the tip, plus gloves, of course, would be the perfect ensemble. Then, enjoy!

Lady with a Parasol painting by Claude Monet in the Musée d'Orsay, one of two treatments of the subject