Umbrellas as a Symbol of Power

Throughout history, umbrellas have been coded as objects of power, wealth, and status. In the spiritual tradition of Buddhism, chatra, the umbrella represents an embodiment of kingship, with the handle representing the axis that holds the universe. When the umbrella is held above an individual, it is implied that the person being shielded from the sun or rain is the center of the ‘universe’. The coolness of its shade symbolizes protection from the heat of suffering, desire, and other spiritually harmful forces.

When Oswald is introduced he is Fish Mooney’s umbrella boy. It is his duty to shield the ‘universe’ in an act the ancient Greeks would state represents inferiority and subservience. It is important to note, however, that upon surpassing Fish, Oswald did not abandon the symbol of the umbrella, but instead adopted it as his own, representing the exchange in power as he usurped his former mistress’ position and declaring himself to be the new ‘universe’.

In Season 1 Episode 7, “Penguin’s Umbrella” , Oswald approaches Carmine Falcone having fulfilled his promise to return as his personal snitch, but he does so holding the classic umbrella over himself, indicating that despite his promised allegiance, he sees himself as the ‘universe’, not Falcone, and has no plans to become subservient to him.

