Umbrella Coloring Pages

The History of Umbrella: Did It Used to Be a Symbol of Power?

The history of Umbrella is surprisingly old. You can even see it drawn on ancient wall paintings in places like Assyria and Egypt. But back then, people did not use Umbrella for the rain. They used it as a parasol to block the hot sun, and to show that kings and nobles had great power!

The word "Umbrella" comes from the Latin word "Umbra," which means "shadow." This shows us that it was built for shade at first. People say that Umbrella started to become popular for rain in England during the late 1700s.

The Parts of Umbrella and How They Work

Umbrella looks simple, but it is a neat tool made of many connected parts!

• Canopy: This is the cloth part that pushes rain away. Most are made from water-blocking cloth like polyester or nylon.

• Ribs: This is the frame that holds up the cloth. The more ribs it has, the rounder and stronger Umbrella becomes.

• Shaft: This is the main stick right in the middle.

• Handle: This is where you hold it. It comes in many shapes, like a "J" shape or a straight stick, to fit your hand nicely.

The Difference Between Japanese Umbrellas and Western Umbrellas

In Japan, there are two main kinds: traditional Japanese Umbrellas, and Western Umbrellas that spread long ago.

• Japanese Umbrella: People make this type by putting Japanese paper onto a bamboo frame and coating it with oil to block water. It has a lot of ribs, usually 40 to 50! It looks beautiful and neat when you open it.

• Western Umbrella: People make this type with metal or fiberglass frames and strong man-made cloth. It is light and easy for you to use. It is the most common kind today.

The Birth of Clear Plastic Umbrella

Did you know? A maker in Japan was the very first in the world to create a clear plastic Umbrella! Back in the 1950s, cloth umbrellas lost their color easily. So, people used plastic as a cover to protect them. That is how it started! Today, some people think of it as cheap, but people all over the world love it because you can see right through it while you walk!

Colorful Patterns and Character Looks

When you color a simple Umbrella or cute pictures, you can have fun using bright and bold colors!

• Polka dots and stripes: Color parts next to each other with different colors. This makes your picture look fun and exciting!

• Special spots: If there are cute animals like bears or rabbits, pick softer colors for the background. This makes the cute characters stand out the most!

Rainy Day Feelings and Water Reflections

When you color a rainy coloring page, the ground is very important.

• Puddle magic: If there are puddles on the ground, color them like the sky with light blue or gray. Then, draw the Umbrella and people upside down very lightly inside the puddle! It looks just like real water after the rain.

• Raindrop lights: Instead of coloring the rain, use a white pen or an eraser at the end to make bright lines. It makes the rain look like it is really falling!

How to Color Traditional Japanese Umbrellas

When you color a traditional Japanese Umbrella, try to show its cool shape.

• Frame lines: A Japanese Umbrella has many ribs inside. Use a thin pen to trace the lines spreading out from the center. It makes it look cool and very Japanese!

• See-through paper: Light shines through Japanese paper. Color the space between the ribs a little lighter, and color near the ribs a little darker. This makes it look like real paper!

Night Streets and Light

When you color night scenes or black backgrounds, switching between light and dark is the key!

• Neon and glow: Use bright yellow or orange for streetlights and shop windows. Color that light shining on the edge of the Umbrella and on the ground. It makes a cool and magical rainy night!

• Clothes details: Try adding plaid patterns to coats or shiny spots to boots. Paying attention to small details makes your picture look awesome!

How to Make a Clear Umbrella Look Real

A clear Umbrella might seem tricky to color, but the secret is not coloring too much!

• Color just the edges and ribs: Only color the outline and the ribs of the Umbrella. Leave the middle white, or put a tiny bit of light blue-gray around the edges. It will look just like clear plastic!

It Started as a Parasol?!

The history of Umbrella is super old, and people say it was created about 4,000 years ago. Surprisingly, it was not used to block the rain at first! Kings and noble people used it as a parasol to protect themselves from strong sunlight.

When Did People Start Using It on Rainy Days?

It is said that the country of England was the first place to start using Umbrella to block the rain instead of the sun. People stretched cloth coated with oil to make it repel water. That way, they could go outside on rainy days without getting wet!

Japan's Traditional "Wagasa"

The "Wagasa" used in old Japan was made by putting Japanese paper over a frame made of bamboo. Special oil was painted on the paper to make a strong Umbrella that blocked rain really well. It is a beautiful type of Umbrella that you can still see today at festivals!

An Umbrella Named After an Animal?

When Western Umbrella (the regular type of Umbrella we use today) first came to Japan, its frame looked like bat wings when opened. Because of that, people gave it the funny name "Bat Umbrella"!

Yellow Umbrellas for Traffic Safety

The yellow type of Umbrella that elementary school kids often use, and ones with a clear window, have an important job. Yellow is a color that stands out to car drivers on rainy days and dark roads. The clear window lets you see ahead clearly, so it protects you from accidents!