Hong Kong's gay rights parade takes umbrella as its symbol
Pride march adopts Occupy protesters' icon - but organisers say decision was taken before pro-democracy campaign got under way
The humble umbrella is a major symbol for an annual gay rights march this year, just as it has come to signify the Occupy Central movement's struggle for a more democratic Hong Kong.
The Cantonese word for putting up an umbrella sounds similar to "support", in line with the Chinese-language slogan for the Pride Parade 2014, which translates as "Supporting For Sure".
March organisers described the sharing of the symbol as "a beautiful coincidence" as they had ordered 500 six-coloured rainbow umbrellas in early August, more than a month before the Occupy protests began.
"We support civil society, and we hope it can support us in return, too," parade spokeswoman Wei Siu-lik said.
"Mutual support is very important to Hongkongers now. We hope the rainbow umbrella will remind people to support us."
For Occupy participants, the umbrella doubles as a tool to fend off tear gas and has become a symbol of resistance.