Kaye Butcher and Dame Margo, parasol duelling at Poppyland 1940s themed restaurant, in Horsey.. Photo by Barry Parsons.
Parasol duelling is a Lovely way for ladies to settle their differences in a ladylike manner. It is a game based on the rules of Rock, Paper, Scissors and can often be seen at organised Steampunk Events. This should not be confused with Umbrella Fencing.
There are three parasol duelling positions, representing rock, paper, scissors, which the parasol can be held in. The Plant, The Twirl and The Snub.
The Plant:
Parasol closed and upright, with the point downwards and planted on the ground.
The Snub:
Parasol open and pointed towards your opponent.
The Twirl:
Parasol open and resting on the shoulder being twirled.
Plant = Rock
Twirl = Paper
Snub = Scissors
In the same fashion that Rock is beaten by Paper, Paper is beaten by Scissors and Scissors is beaten by Rock, the following rules apply. The rules are simple (although can be difficult to remember if you are the referee).
Plant is beaten by Twirl
Twirl is beaten by Snub
Snub is beaten by Plant
The ladies stand back to back with their parasols closed. On the command, they take two paces forward and turn to face their opponent. There is then a count of five, where the duellist with perform each of the duelling positions in a random order. On the command Hold, the final positions are held, and the winner is the lady with the winning position. This can be played as a knockout competition.