The chhatri or umbrella

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 10th February 2019, 11:56 PM

I have to say it is difficult to miss a single word from the explanation of parasols in http://www.religionfacts.com/parasol therefor in the name of education and research I have collected up much of the detail here~

Quote"The parasol or umbrella (Skt. chattra; Tib. gdugs) is a traditional Indian symbol of both protection and royalty. The ability to protect oneself against inclement weather has always, in all cultures, been a status symbol.

In Europe, until a few decades ago, a sunshade was a status symbol for society ladies. In Oriental thought, the fact that it protected the bearer from the scorching heat of the sun was transferred into the religious sphere as a "protection against the heat of defilements." Thus the coolness of its shade symbolizes protection from the heat of suffering, desire, and other spiritually harmful forces.

The dome of the umbrella is held aloft by a vertical handle (just like the mountain upholds the sky), which is identified with the 'axis mundi,' or the central axis upholding the world.

The umbrella is carried above an important dignitary or the image of a deity, to indicate that the person or symbol below the umbrella is in fact the center of the universe, and also its spiritual support. Umbrellas seem to be especially important in processional rites, being like mobile temples. Thus, depictions of the Buddha often display an elaborate and large umbrella above his head.

As it is held above the head it naturally symbolizes honor and respect. In Vajrayana Buddhism, this large umbrella (atapatra) was even deified into the thousand-armed, -footed goddess Sitapatra, whose name literally means 'the white umbrella.'

In Tibet, depending on their status, various dignitaries were entitled to different parasols, with religious heads being entitled to a silk one and secular rulers to a parasol with embroidered peacock feathers. Exalted personalities such as the Dalai Lama are entitled to both, and in processions, first a peacock parasol and then a silk one is carried after him.

The Tibetan version of the parasol was adopted from its royal Indian and Chinese prototypes, and fashioned from a wooden, spoked frame with a domed silk cover and hanging silk pendants making up an overhanging skirt.

The dome symbolizes wisdom, and the hanging skirt, compassion. Thus the composite form of the parasol signifies the union of these dual elements.

Octagonal and square parasols are also common, representing the Noble Eightfold Path and the four directional quarters respectively".Unquote

Battara · 11th February 2019, 03:14 AM

Ibrahiim I like the subject of axis mundi that you brought up. This is an area of study in my 2nd masters. Not thought of applying this to the umbrella motif until now.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 11th February 2019, 08:18 PM

Looking to Mughal Art for Parasols see below..Shah Jahan in various artworks>>

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 14th February 2019, 12:14 AM

Emperor Babur ..16thC … Parasol detail.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 8th March 2019, 09:03 PM

Mughal designs and patterns generally came with them from Persian influence. This is apparent in the different types of umbrellas as well as the magnificent Forts Mausoleums and Mosques constructed by the Mughal artisans and architects...In fact the Chhatri which normally means a type of umbrella also appears in stone built form usually on the corners of huge magnificent palaces and fortresses as small domes etc but called the same ..See https://selfstudyhistory.com/2015/01...during-mughal/

The tendency is to call also the small hand held umbrella a Chhatri...In this case held over one persons head or attached to a throne...The Emperors and in a bigger group may as seen below be seated under the bigger sun shade sometimes called a Saiban (Sunshade) and have single small Parasols raised over them. This tradition is reflected into the marriage ceremony where the bride and groom sit with the Pandit(Holy Man) for their marriage vows.

Babur(Tiger); for a quick resume of his operations see https://www.britannica.com/biography/Babur for a rapid roller coaster of his incredible achievements as the founder of The Mughal Empire.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 10th March 2019, 09:38 PM

I thought we had possibly seen the largest structures possible in cloth hand held and canopy style sunshades but this one is the biggest I have seen to date ! A giant parasol two poled item over a square smaller shade under.

Likhari · 23rd March 2019, 05:11 AM

Chhatri on Shah Jahan's sword @ Wallace Collection

11th February 2019, 08:18 PM	#3
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Looking to Mughal Art for Parasols see below..Shah Jahan in various artworks>> Attached Images

14th February 2019, 12:14 AM	#4
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Emperor Babur ..16thC … Parasol detail. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 14th February 2019 at 12:33 AM.

8th March 2019, 09:03 PM	#5
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Mughal designs and patterns generally came with them from Persian influence. This is apparent in the different types of umbrellas as well as the magnificent Forts Mausoleums and Mosques constructed by the Mughal artisans and architects...In fact the Chhatri which normally means a type of umbrella also appears in stone built form usually on the corners of huge magnificent palaces and fortresses as small domes etc but called the same ..See https://selfstudyhistory.com/2015/01...during-mughal/ The tendency is to call also the small hand held umbrella a Chhatri...In this case held over one persons head or attached to a throne...The Emperors and in a bigger group may as seen below be seated under the bigger sun shade sometimes called a Saiban (Sunshade) and have single small Parasols raised over them. This tradition is reflected into the marriage ceremony where the bride and groom sit with the Pandit(Holy Man) for their marriage vows. Babur(Tiger); for a quick resume of his operations see https://www.britannica.com/biography/Babur for a rapid roller coaster of his incredible achievements as the founder of The Mughal Empire. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 8th March 2019 at 09:22 PM.

10th March 2019, 09:38 PM	#6
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	I thought we had possibly seen the largest structures possible in cloth hand held and canopy style sunshades but this one is the biggest I have seen to date ! A giant parasol two poled item over a square smaller shade under. Attached Images

23rd March 2019, 05:11 AM	#7
Likhari Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: USA Posts: 34	Chhatri on Shah Jahan's sword @ Wallace Collection Chhatri on Shah Jahan's sword @ Wallace Collection Attached Images

10th February 2019, 11:56 PM	#1
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	I have to say it is difficult to miss a single word from the explanation of parasols in http://www.religionfacts.com/parasol therefor in the name of education and research I have collected up much of the detail here~ Quote"The parasol or umbrella (Skt. chattra; Tib. gdugs) is a traditional Indian symbol of both protection and royalty. The ability to protect oneself against inclement weather has always, in all cultures, been a status symbol. In Europe, until a few decades ago, a sunshade was a status symbol for society ladies. In Oriental thought, the fact that it protected the bearer from the scorching heat of the sun was transferred into the religious sphere as a "protection against the heat of defilements." Thus the coolness of its shade symbolizes protection from the heat of suffering, desire, and other spiritually harmful forces. The dome of the umbrella is held aloft by a vertical handle (just like the mountain upholds the sky), which is identified with the 'axis mundi,' or the central axis upholding the world. The umbrella is carried above an important dignitary or the image of a deity, to indicate that the person or symbol below the umbrella is in fact the center of the universe, and also its spiritual support. Umbrellas seem to be especially important in processional rites, being like mobile temples. Thus, depictions of the Buddha often display an elaborate and large umbrella above his head. As it is held above the head it naturally symbolizes honor and respect. In Vajrayana Buddhism, this large umbrella (atapatra) was even deified into the thousand-armed, -footed goddess Sitapatra, whose name literally means 'the white umbrella.' In Tibet, depending on their status, various dignitaries were entitled to different parasols, with religious heads being entitled to a silk one and secular rulers to a parasol with embroidered peacock feathers. Exalted personalities such as the Dalai Lama are entitled to both, and in processions, first a peacock parasol and then a silk one is carried after him. The Tibetan version of the parasol was adopted from its royal Indian and Chinese prototypes, and fashioned from a wooden, spoked frame with a domed silk cover and hanging silk pendants making up an overhanging skirt. The dome symbolizes wisdom, and the hanging skirt, compassion. Thus the composite form of the parasol signifies the union of these dual elements. Octagonal and square parasols are also common, representing the Noble Eightfold Path and the four directional quarters respectively".Unquote

11th February 2019, 03:14 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,229	Ibrahiim I like the subject of axis mundi that you brought up. This is an area of study in my 2nd masters. Not thought of applying this to the umbrella motif until now.