Hangzhou silk umbrellas are beautiful examples of the magnificent folk arts that come from the Zhejiang province. Its delicate design and elegant patterns make it a sought after treasure in China and abroad.The city of Hangzhou is the capital of the artistic Zhejiang Province.

The umbrella originated from China over four thousand years ago and quickly spread to the rest of the world. Originally made for protection from the rain, its list of functions soon grew to include protection from the sun, used in acrobatic performances and as a common prop in Chinese operas. The famous Chinese legend states that the craftsman, Luban, created the umbrella after his wife built a pavilion to deliver his food in rain. He was then inspired by children playing with lotus leaves and created his wife the first umbrella from flexible bamboo framework covered by cloth.

Tailor made silk fabric and local bamboo, from the south of the Yangtze River, are the main materials used to construct these magnificent art pieces. The silk canopy is as thin as a cicada’s wing yet it is able to effectively block the brightness of the sun. The bamboo ribs are strong yet allow the umbrella to easily collapse when needed. Bright and bold colours dominate the palette for Hangzhou silk umbrellas.

The Hangzhou silk umbrella can either be decorated by prints, paintings or embroidery. Each style provides the umbrella with breathtaking images and patterns that are considered art works in themselves. These designs usually incorporate images of West Lake River, flowers, butterflies, birds, figures, dragons, phoenixes, snakes, horses, plums and many more local features.

Although Hangzhou was producing silk umbrellas long before the twentieth century, the Westlake umbrella was first recognized as an important treasure of the area in the 1930’s. It has continued to be made by local craftsmen as a symbol of Hangzhou and classed as a perfect souvenir for visiting travelers.

In Ancient China, the umbrella symbolized wealth and honour. The Hangzhou umbrella still holds this tradition and represents elegance and sophistication. It is also known as the West Lake umbrella named after the peaceful lake situated in Hangzhou. Many images of the lake are painted on the canopy of the umbrellas with the most famous images deriving from the “White Snake” legend. The legend tells the tale of a spirit snake and mortal man who fall in love at the bank of the West Lake. The white snake, transformed as a woman, is locked in a tower away from her husband by a monk who does not agree with the forbidden marriage of a spirit and mortal. After many years the white snake’s son and her sworn sister the green snake free her from the tower where she is reunited with her husband. This scene is often portrayed on Hangzhou silk umbrellas through soft, vivid paintings which add an element of local tradition to the folk art. 

Traditionally used for the sole purpose of protection from the weather, umbrellas have developed into a joyous and artistic traditional folk craft. Viewed as a part of China’s national folk heritage, Hangzhou silk umbrellas are cherished within Hangzhou and afar as a wonderful form of art.