Oil-paper umbrellas originated from paper or cloth umbrellas in China and later spread to various parts of Asia, evolving into what we now know as oil-paper umbrellas. With the migration of Hakka people from Meinong to China for trade, oil-paper umbrellas entered Taiwan and began to develop. Oil-paper umbrellas are not only practical tools for daily life, providing shade and protection from the rain, but also play an indispensable role in wedding customs. 

1. During a boy's coming-of-age ceremony at sixteen, parents will give a pair of paper umbrellas. （The word "紙" (paper) in "paper umbrella" sounds like "子" (child) in Chineses, symbolizing a peaceful and safe transition to adulthood.） 

2. Parents give daughters oil-paper umbrellas as part of the dowry. （The word "傘" for (umbrella) has five "人" (people), symbolizing the early birth of noble children and the abundance of descendants. When the oil-paper umbrella is opened, it forms a circular shape, and when closed, the umbrella ribs also create a circle, representing the parents' blessings for a complete and harmonious marriage for their children.） 

3. In some Hakka religious celebrations, oil-paper umbrellas are erected on the palanquin as a shelter. （Symbol of completeness, serving as a representation for people to seek shade from the sun, take shelter from the rain, and ward off evil.） 

In 1944, the Hakka ancestors from Meinong ventured to Guangdong's Chaozhou for business and unexpectedly discovered the unique oil-paper umbrella craft in the region. Inspired by its beauty, they went to great lengths to invite skilled umbrella craftsmen from Chaozhou to teach this technique. Passed down through generations, the unique craft of the oil-paper umbrella deeply took root in Meinong.

During its heyday, Meinong's oil-paper umbrella industry boasted over twenty umbrella factories, producing over twenty thousand umbrellas annually. However, after the 1960s, Taiwan experienced rapid industrial development, and plastic umbrellas, manufactured using chemical materials, emerged, dealing a significant blow to traditional oil-paper umbrellas. Plastic umbrellas, with their lightweight, durability, and efficient production, gradually replaced oil-paper umbrellas, leading to the decline of the latter.

Fortunately, in the 1970s, Taiwan's growing economic prosperity, coupled with the flourishing tourism industry and the resurgence of interest in handcrafts, brought oil-paper umbrellas back into focus. Media promotion prompted a renewed appreciation for this traditional craft, transforming practical oil-paper umbrellas into art pieces. This not only ensured the continuation of the oil-paper umbrella craftsmanship but also revitalized an industry that had once faced decline.