Home & household

Umbrella in the cup

Shelter is what an umbrella brings to the cup: someone is covering you, or you've learned to protect yourself. Closed, it speaks of protection you have but aren't using; pride can come at a cost. Turned inside out or torn, it says the old solution no longer holds. Here, rain isn't trouble — it's a washing clean.

Position changes the tone: nearer the rim speaks of what is close, nearer the bottom of what is further off; a clearer shape speaks louder than a faint one.