Meet 'Umbrella Man,' the symbol of Hong Kong’s protest movement

A towering wooden figure holding a golden umbrella has emerged as the new image of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement.

Umbrella Man. (AAP)

A large wooden statue nicknamed "Umbrella Man" has become the new mascot for the pro-democracy protests sweeping Hong Kong.

The sculpture, of a man holding a golden umbrella, was created by a 22-year-old graduate known only as “Milk”.

Many have drawn comparisons between the statue and the "Goddess of Democracy" sculpture set up in Tiananmen Square days before the deadly crackdown there.

But Milk told The New York Times the similarities were not deliberate.

"I didn't realise that," he said. "It has a different meaning to me, just freedom and peace."

Protesters in Hong Kong have been quick to adopt Umbrella Man as a symbol of the movement, with many posting images to social media.