Guess the ancient paper

The ancient paper is: oil paper.

Oil paper is a kind of processed paper made from tougher raw paper, coated with tung oil or other dry oils, which is folding-resistant and waterproof, and is absorbent, non-reflective and not very slippery. It is mainly used in the construction field for moisture and waterproofing.

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Oil paper umbrella is one of the traditional Han crafts, as a kind of paper or cloth umbrellas originated in China, and also spread to various parts of Asia, such as Japan, North Korea, Vietnam, Ryukyus, Thailand, Laos, and other places, and in each place, the development of oil paper umbrellas with local characteristics. With the migration of Hakka people from mainland China to settle in Taiwan, the Chinese-style oil-paper umbrellas have also taken root and developed in Taiwan.

Oil paper umbrellas are not only daily necessities to protect from the sun and rain, but also an indispensable item for marriage ceremonies, traditional Chinese weddings, when the bride gets married in the sedan chair, the matchmaker will use a red oil-paper umbrella to cover the bride in order to ward off evil spirits. Japanese traditional wedding, the bride will also be covered by red oil paper umbrella. In Ryukyu ancient weddings, oil paper umbrellas were also used.

Purple umbrellas, which symbolize longevity, are preferred by the elderly, while white umbrellas are used for funerals. Umbrellas are also used as props in traditional Japanese dances, and some are used in tea ceremony performances.

Religious ceremonies, it is also common to see oil-paper umbrellas as a shelter on the mikoshi (portable shrines), which is the meaning of its completion, as a symbol of protection from the sun and rain, and to ward off evil spirits. The umbrellas used in daily life are mostly foreign umbrellas, oil-paper umbrellas are sold as art and souvenirs for tourists.