In Pathein, a city in southern Myanmar, colorful paper umbrellas brighten the streets and alleys. This city is renowned as the home of Myanmar’s finest handcrafted umbrellas, giving rise to the famous “Pathein Umbrella.”

 The umbrella-making craft, passed down for over a century, still relies on the warmth and skill of artisans’ hands, preserved and perfected from generation to generation.

（An artisan is crafting the umbrella frame. /CFP）

(An artisan is making an umbrella. /CFP)

(Handcrafted umbrellas from Myanmar. /CFP)

Creating a Pathein umbrella involves dozens of meticulous steps. Artisans carefully carve bamboo into the frame, then repeatedly coat cotton or paper surfaces with natural lacquer to ensure strength and waterproofing.

Finally, painters add delicate decorations—flowers, birds, or geometric patterns, bringing the umbrella to life with fine strokes and vibrant colors. Each step requires patience and time, making every umbrella a unique masterpiece.

(An artisan at work making an umbrella. /CFP)

In Myanmar, handcrafted umbrellas are more than tools for shade or rain protection; they are indispensable cultural symbols in festivals, weddings, and traditional dances. When opened, an umbrella shields not only from sunlight but also carries the aesthetic and cultural heritage of a nation.

Today, with the rise of tourism, Pathein umbrellas have become popular souvenirs. They are carried to every corner of the world, serving as a calling card that spreads the beauty of Myanmar’s handicrafts.