Independent Statesman

THE SACRED UMBRELLA.

EVOLUTION OF THE COMMON RAINY DAY ARTICLE OF TODAY.

The Reverence Paid to It in Early Times. The Connection Between Trees and Umbrellas-A Primitive Model-The Baldachino-A Throne.

Referring to the traces of the singular reverence bestowed on the umbrella as proved from the pre-Christian sculptures of northern India, none are more curious than those which suggest the retention of primitive tree worship, in the earliest days of pure Buddhism. I have two sketches from the gateways of the Sanchi Tope, showing how 1,800 years ago a sacred flower laden sal tree (Shorea robusta), beneath which the Gautama Buddha died at Kasia, was hung with garlands and approached by crowds of worshipers 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 overshadowed by a very large chatta. In the other, which is sculptured on a pillar of the same gateway, two chattas combine their honor conferring 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. 250, in front of the sacred Bo-tree (Ficus religiosa), beneath which Gautama attained to the Buddhahood, and which is still growing! Here, also, the umbrellas on either side of the tree are adorned with garlands. Passing to southern India, we find that on some of the ancient Buddhist sculptures at the Amravati Tope, the highest ideal of honor is expressed by the use of the sacred lotus leaf as a sunshade (the 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 remain eight of these overshadowing leaves, while on another a forest of about fifty umbrella shaped lotus leaves are thus shown, piled all over the summit of a Dagoba. In point of fact, the connection between trees and umbrellas is not so far fetched as might at first sight appear, for the primary idea of the umbrella is undoubtedly derived from a shady tree (umbrella, from umbra, shade), with pendant boughs drooping from an upright 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 papaws. So closely has this primitive model been adhered to by the peasants of Burmah and Bengal that their great clumsy chattas (umbrellas consist chiefly of a framework of bamboo covered with leaves, or else thatched with grass. The usual ingenuity of the Chinese and Japanese was not long in devising an advance on the original idea. Many centuries must have elapsed since they bethought 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 substitute a thick waterproof paper for the primitive green leaves. The Assyrian bas reliefs show slaves holding a richly ornamented umbrella above the head of the monarch, not only in scenes of peace, but even in times of war. It 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, however eminent. The same thing is observed in the sculptures of Babylon and Nineveh, in which the king alone is thus distinguished. Of the ancient Mexican emperors it is likewise recorded that not only were they borne by relays of great nobles, but also that four more nobles of high estate were appointed to uphold the sacred umbrella which added dignity to the imperial procession. Reverting to mediaeval days we find that Persia likewise fully recognized the honor conferring power of this symbol, as is fully proven by the ancient title which has ever been bestowed on her high dignitaries, namely, Satrap or Chatrapa, which (like the titles of the Burmese kings and the Mahratta chiefs simply means "Lord of the Umbrella." Indeed, it was from Persia that the idea of carrying a canopy of some rich stuff above any object to be reverenced seems first to have reached Europe, the Baldachini of ecclesiastical art having derived their name from Baldach, the ancient Persian name of the city of Bagdad. The baldachino, which is simply a richly embroidered canopy, supported by four poles, carried by four bearers, is now familiar to us only in the gorgeous processions of the Greek or Roman Catholic churches, where it is borne above the consecrated host or sacred images. But in the middle ages it figured in all solemn processions-coronations, marriages, funerals, triumphal progresses of great men -just as we may still see in eastern lands, where the chief nobles of the kingdom are those selected for the honor of supporting the splendid canopy which overshadows the royal litter, or the funeral car whereon is laid the honored dead. At the present day Queen Victoria's canopied throne may be cited as a development of the imperial umbrella; the speaker's chair in parliament and the bishop's throne in many cathedrals show clearly how this honorable distinction became naturalized on British soil.-C. F. Gordon Cumming in English Illustrated Magazine.