An umbrella is an item used as protection from the rain . It is a portable element that has a fist or handle and an axis with rods that allows a plastic or waterproof fabric surface to be extended.
Thanks to its mechanism , the umbrella can be opened or closed as needed . When it is not necessary to use it since it is not raining, the umbrella remains folded; However, in the event of precipitation, the user must press a button or perform the necessary action for the waterproof surface to expand.
Once the umbrella is open, the person must raise it above their head, so that the rain falls on the fabric and not on their body . So you can walk outdoors without getting wet.
On the windiest days, the umbrella loses its usefulness. This is because the wind causes the rain to reach the body anyway and the gusts can break the umbrella, breaking its ribs or tearing its fabric.
As well as other accessories that are not directly part of the outfit, there are many models of umbrellas, from inexpensive to very expensive, including various brands.
There are fictional characters who have the use of an umbrella as a distinctive sign. The Penguin , one of Batman 's villains, has special umbrellas that serve as weapons. Mary Poppins , for her part, can fly thanks to her umbrella.
In everyday speech, there are a large number of phrases and sayings that contain the word umbrella . One of the best known is "don't open the umbrella before it rains." It can be understood as advice that aims to avoid unnecessary reactions, worries before there are reasons that warrant them. It is common to use it to try to calm those people who "see problems where there are none", who are easily alarmed and expect the worst.
Another of the many sayings that include this term is "he who buys umbrellas when it rains, worth only six, will be charged nine." It refers to the consequences of not preparing in time, of waiting until the last minute to take precautions or to act in the face of adversity . It can be related to the fable of the cicada and the ants: while the latter prepare for the harsh winter by gathering all possible resources, the former spends the day playing the guitar; When the cold comes, she is forced to ask them for shelter because she has no shelter or food.
In this case, the idea of the price of the umbrella, which increases when this product becomes most necessary, is used to warn us to stock up in advance and not in the middle of the emergency . Outside of any symbology, it is true that umbrellas cost more money in the middle of a storm, just as clothes are always cheaper out of season.
A saying with a similar meaning is the one that says "when it rains a lot, everyone gets wet depending on the umbrella that covers them." In this case, unlike the previous one, the possibility that we have all prepared for the storm is taken into account; However, only those who have put in a lot of effort will be able to protect themselves effectively, while those at the other extreme will barely see any benefits from their work.
The notion of umbrella, finally, has a symbolic use that refers to the one or thing that provides shelter or protection . For example : "This young man acts that way because he has his uncle's umbrella in the company" , "Without the government umbrella, the businessman began to be investigated by Justice" , "The player has the president's umbrella." club» .