Exquisite and functional, the brightly-colored paper umbrellas of Asia also have the power to protect.
In a quaint village in northern Thailand, I find a unique artistic production line operating just as it’s done for 200 years. More than 20 women are executing different tasks, displaying nimble fingers and impressive creativity as they combine to make a traditional Thai umbrella. These ornate, handcrafted parasols have made Bo Sang famous across Thailand, with this community near Chiang Mai producing thousands of paper umbrellas each year.
Rarely have such umbrellas been more valued than now. For more than 1,000 years, in different cultures across Asia, parasols have been seen as shields not just against the elements but also from misfortune. They are icons of power, prosperity, and protection. Some Asian communities view parasols as guarding their owners against suffering, including in times of crisis like we currently face due to the coronavirus pandemic.
