The umbrella has become a symbol of the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. Umbrellas have been used to protect against pepper spray, tear gas and the searing sun and are brandished to push through police barricades.

Hong Kongers, especially the young, have been up in arms since Beijing ruled last month that the city's residents would be allowed to elect its own leader starting in 2017 - but only from candidates vetted by Beijing. The protesters' politeness - picking up trash, doing homework in the streets, recycling waste and leaving signs apologising for the inconvenience - have garnered them more support.