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- Every March 13
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National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day arrives every March 13, inviting you to playfully challenge the age-old superstition. It’s a lighthearted occasion to test your luck and see if opening an umbrella inside truly brings misfortune. Gather friends, share your experiences, and perhaps even document your daring indoor umbrella escapades!
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Expected National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day Deals
While specific 2027 promotions are still under wraps, National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day often inspires quirky deals and discounts. Look for retailers like Target and Walmart to offer sales on umbrellas, rain gear, or even novelty items. Specialty stores such as Knirps or Fulton Umbrellas might feature promotions on their durable, stylish designs. Coffee shops like Starbucks or Dunkin’ could offer ‘lucky’ discounts to customers who dare to bring an open umbrella inside. Even online marketplaces like Amazon are likely to see a surge in umbrella sales. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as March 13 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #OpenAnUmbrellaIndoorsDay. Film a quick video of yourself defying the superstition, perhaps with a humorous twist or a ‘before and after’ of your day’s luck.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #OpenAnUmbrellaIndoorsDay. Share a photo or reel of your most stylish (or ridiculous) indoor umbrella setup. Ask followers to share their own superstition stories.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #OpenAnUmbrellaIndoorsDay. Tweet about your experience opening an umbrella indoors. Did anything ‘unlucky’ happen? Engage in a poll about common superstitions.
National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day Hero
Jonas Hanway
History of National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day
The creation of National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day is credited to Thomas Edward Knibb to encourage people to investigate if opening an umbrella indoors could bring a person bad luck.
An umbrella is also called parasol, brolly, bumbershoot, rainshade, sunshade, gamp, or canopy. It is an apparatus made of cloth on a metal frame, used to protect a person from rain, sunshine, and the elements. Umbrellas have been around since 1000 B.C. and were first designed by the Egyptians. They were mainly used by the nobility and were made from lotus leaves or feathers over a stick frame.
The invention made its way to China, also used by Chinese royalty. Servants were made to carry these leather, silk, or cloth contraptions over their masters during outings. However, the rest of the population was confined to using umbrellas made out of stout paper. Eventually, umbrellas spread to other parts of the world, such as Korea, Greece, Japan, Rome, India, and North America.
The superstition about opening umbrellas indoors can also be traced back to the ancient Egyptian era when Egypt worshipped the sun god. It was believed that the act of opening an umbrella indoors would displease their god, and so this was avoided at all costs. The superstition also has roots in the circumstances surrounding the umbrella in England during the 18th century. At the time, umbrellas were not as light and easy to operate. They were rigged with hard metal spokes and were much heavier than they are today. Thus, opening an umbrella inside, where others were likely to come to harm, was actually dangerous. The idea of opening an umbrella indoors progressed from a mere warning to a superstitious belief.
Another superstition is that merely opening an umbrella indoors can’t cause bad luck unless the umbrella is black.
National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day timeline
Egyptians invent the first umbrellas.
Jonas Hanway popularizes umbrellas in England.
James Smith founds a shop for umbrellas called James Smith & Sons.
Samuel Fox invents steel-ribbed umbrellas, the kind used in modern times.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day
Local businesses can embrace National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day with lighthearted promotions. Coffee shops might offer a ‘lucky dip’ discount for customers who open a small umbrella at the counter, while boutiques could display umbrellas prominently indoors as a playful challenge to superstition. Retailers selling rain gear can run a ‘defy bad luck’ sale on umbrellas, encouraging customers to share their indoor umbrella photos for a chance to win prizes. It’s a fun opportunity to engage customers with a quirky, memorable experience.
National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day FAQs
When is National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day?
In 2027, National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day lands on Saturday, March 13. This weekend placement offers ample time to experiment with the superstition without work-day distractions.
What is the origin of the umbrella superstition?
While the exact origin is debated, the superstition likely gained traction in Victorian England. The belief was reinforced by the practical dangers of opening large, spring-loaded umbrellas in small indoor spaces, potentially poking someone’s eye or breaking objects. This practical hazard evolved into a supernatural warning against tempting fate.
How many people believe in superstitions?
While hard numbers vary by region and culture, studies suggest that a significant portion of the global population holds at least one superstitious belief. For instance, in the U.S., avoiding black cats or knocking on wood are common practices, indicating that superstitions, even if not deeply believed, are often observed out of habit or for a bit of fun.
Is Friday the 13th related to this day?
While National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day always occurs on March 13, its connection to Friday the 13th is coincidental, as March 13 only occasionally lands on a Friday. The holiday itself is about the umbrella superstition, but when it aligns with Friday the 13th, it adds an extra layer of quirky challenge to the observance.
National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day Activities
Use an umbrella
What better way to celebrate than using an umbrella on this holiday! If it’s the rainy season where you are, avoid mad dashes for cover and get an umbrella. And if it’s sunny where you’re at, open your umbrella and take a nice stroll without having to squint against the sun.
Open an umbrella indoors
The whole point of the holiday is to discover whether the superstition is true. So test your luck and open an umbrella indoors. Watch carefully and take notice of any strange occurrences during your day.
Enjoy the umbrellas
Not only can you celebrate by using regular umbrellas, but you can also get something umbrella-themed. Order a drink with one of those tiny umbrellas or wear an umbrella-themed outfit.
5 Important Facts About Umbrellas
Umbrella drinks
Little umbrellas were first used as drink decorations in 1959 by Harry Yee, a bartender in Hawaii.
Coca-Cola umbrella
Umbrellas were made from Coca-Cola bottles and plant materials in 1969.
The dog umbrella
The dog umbrella, made to protect dogs from the elements, was invented by Kenneth Warth.
Oombrella
The ‘Wezzo oombrella’ is a smart umbrella that sends an alert to your phone via Bluetooth, telling you when it’s about to rain.
Smart frog
A frog was photographed by ‘National Geographic,’ using a leaf to shield itself from the rain.
Why We Love National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day
Protective
Umbrellas are so useful and versatile. Whether it’s sunny, rainy, or sleety, they protect from harsh elements.
Fashionable
Not only are they very useful, but umbrellas can also look stylish and enhance an outfit. With a wide variety of colors and styles, umbrellas don’t have to detract from or cramp your style.
Efficient
Imagine a world without umbrellas. People would either have to put a hold on movement whenever the weather took a harsh turn or risk getting battered by the elements. Umbrellas save us time. Better yet, they’re lightweight and easy to use.
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