In China, during the peak of popularity, yellow and red umbrellas were worn by the royal family, while a blue umbrella was a sign of nobility and wealth. In addition to the functional usage, the oil paper umbrella is also believed to ward off evil spirits, and symbolizes fertility and the coming of Spring.

Much like Sanayi313’s slippers, it can take weeks to create one Chinese oil paper umbrella by hand and is considered an “emblem of cultural craftsmanship and poetic beauty”.