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Umbrella | Religion

 

Umbrella or parasol appears in many belief systems both as a spiritual symbol and physical object carried in religious events, rituals, and festivals. In Ancient Greece, the followers of Dionysus were carrying parasols in bright colors in festivals and processions. More significantly, the carriage of parasols was associated with Skirophoria an Athenian agricultural festival held in the month of final harvest corresponding to May or June. In this festival, the priestess of Athena and the priests of Poseidon and Helios were walking from the Acropolis to a place called Skiron under the cover of a large white umbrella symbolizing the protection of the Attic soil against the burning sun rays. Skirophoria was organized by only Athenian women and dedicated to Demeter who is the goddess of fruitfulness and her daughter Persephone indicating the interpretation of the white umbrella as a pray toward the gods for fertility. The white parasol arises as a deity in Buddhism called “Ushnisha Sitatapatra” which means “The Victorious White Parasol”. In this case, the parasol she carries symbolizes protection from diseases and catastrophes while white color is referring to peace and pacification as her method of protection. Additionally, the umbrella is one of the “eight auspicious symbols of Buddhism” which are a set of objects that were believed to be representative of enlightenment. In Buddhism, the open form of umbrella is considered as the dome of the sky that protects the earth by shadowing it, and the pole symbolizes the axis-mundi that is believed to be the connection between heaven and earth. Therefore, the umbrella is thought to be a mobile temple. Since the umbrella is one of the main symbols in Buddhism, this object can be seen in various religious ceremonies yet its size, color, or material varies. I think the most interesting tradition including this object is the ritual of burning a red umbrella thirty-five days after a funeral.

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