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.

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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.
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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.

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