The paper umbrella in China is a unique folk craft. There are a great variety of paper umbrellas, such as the flowery umbrella, the silk cotton paper umbrella, the bluish green boron umbrella, the double layer flowery umbrella, and serigraph umbrella.
Like other craftworks, the paper umbrella demands precise skills. Every part is carefully chosen when making the umbrella. The rib of the umbrella should be made from bamboo more than 5 years old from north Fujian Province. This bamboo is specially treated which makes it pliable, flexible and elastic and can prevent the umbrella from becoming moldy, rotten, and infested with woodworms. The surface of the umbrella is made from special refined tissue paper which can withstand strong force. Craftsmen paint glutinous tung oil on the surface of umbrella and then draw pictures of flowers, birds, characters, and landscape. More than 80 processes are required before an umbrella is finished. This prevents the umbrella from being destroyed, distorted or faded by sunshine, rain and wind. The well-made paper umbrella can protect people from lightning and thunder.
The traditional umbrella craftsmanship in Fuzhou consists of making five parts, which include the ribs, the umbrellas, the heads, the handles, and painting the patterns on the umbrellas. Each of these five parts requires great skill.
Nowadays, paper umbrellas are less widely seen in busy urban life due to its complicated craftsmanship. However, paper umbrellas are still appreciated and collected as a kind of elaborate craftwork.