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Throne:''This article is about royal thrones; for the order of angels by the same name see thrones.''
A '''throne''' is the official chair or seat upon which a monarch is seated on state or ceremonial occasions. "Throne" in an abstract sense can also refer to the monarchy or the Crown itself, an instance of metonymy, and is also used in many terms such as "power behind the throne|the power behind the throne".
Thrones in ancient cultures
Thrones have been the symbol of monarchs and Deity|deities since ancient times. In some cultures, an early form of the throne was used in coronation ceremonies, or to lift the monarch up above all others present. Thrones have ever since been associated with royal power.
The Greeks (according to Homer) were known to place additional, empty thrones in the royal palaces and temples so that the gods could be seated when they wished to be. The most famous of these thrones was the throne of Apollo in Amyclae.
The Ancient Rome|Romans also had two types of thrones- one for the Roman Emperor|Emperor and one for the goddess Roma (mythology)|Roma whose statues were seated upon thrones, which became centers of worship.
The Hittites considered thrones to be gods themselves.
Thrones and the Bible
The word "throne" appears in the Bible 176 times ("thrones", in the plural, appears 9 times).[
] God is described as seated upon a throne in the manner of kings, as a sign of his sovereignty over creation.
In the '''Old Testament''', King David and King Solomon are described as having constructed thrones: "Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the best gold" ().
Isaiah mentions the same throne: ():
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the Throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."
In the '''New Testament''', the Angel Gabriel also refers to this throne in the Gospel of Luke ():
"He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."
Jesus promised his Twelve Apostles|Apostles that they would sit upon "twelve thrones", judging the twelve tribes of Israel (). John the Evangelist|John's Book of Revelation|Revelation states: "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away" ().
The Paul of Tarsus|Apostle Paul speaks of "thrones" in . Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, in his work, ''De Coelesti Hierarchia'' (VI.7) interprets this as referring to one of the ranks of angels (corresponding to the Hebrew ''Arelim'' or ''Ophanim''). This concept was expanded upon by Thomas Aquinas in his ''Summa Theologica'' (I.108), wherein the thrones are concerned with carrying out divine justice.
In Medieval times the "Throne of Solomon" was associated with the Virgin Mary, who was depicted as the throne upon which Jesus sat. The ivory in the biblical description of the Throne of Solomon was interpreted as representing purity, the gold representing divinity, and the six steps of the throne stood for the six virtues. was also interpreted as referring to the Virgin Mary, the entire Psalm describing a royal throne room.
Ecclesiastical thrones
From ancient times, bishops of the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican and other churches where episcopal offices exist, have been formally seated on a throne, called a ''cathedra'' (). Traditionally located in the sanctuary, the cathedra symbolizes the bishop's authority to teach the faith (hence the expression "ex cathedra") and to govern his flock.
"Ex cathedra" refers to the explicative authority, notably the extremely rarely used procedure required for a papal declaration to be 'Papal infallibility|infallible' under Roman Catholic Canon law (Catholic Church)|Canon law. In several languages the word deriving from ''cathedra'' is commonly used for an academic teaching mandate, the professorial chair.
From the presence of this cathedra (throne), which can be as elaborate and precious as fits a secular prince (even if the prelate is not a prince of the church in the secular sense), a bishop's primary church is called a cathedral. In the Roman Catholic Church, a basilica -from the Greek ''basilikos'' 'royal'-, now refers to the presence there of a papal canopy (''ombrellino''), part of his Papal regalia and insignia|regalia, and applies mainly to many cathedrals and Catholic churches of similar importance and/or splendor. In Roman Antiquity a basilica was secular public hall. Thus, the term basilica may also refer to a church designed after the manner of the ancient Roman basilica. Many of the churches built by the emperor Constantine the Great and Justinian are of the basilica style.
Some other prelates besides bishops are permitted the use of thrones. For instance, abbots and abbesses. These are often simpler than the thrones used by bishops and there may be restrictions on the style and ornamentation used on them, according to the regulations and traditions of the particular denomination.
As a mark of distinction, Roman Catholic bishops and higher prelates have a right to a canopy above their thrones at certain ecclesiastical functions. It is sometimes granted by special privilege to prelates inferior to bishops, but always with limitations as to the days on which it may be used and the character of its ornamentation. The liturgical colour of the canopy should correspond with that of the other vestments. When ruling monarchs attend services, they are also allowed to be seated on a throne that is covered by a canopy, but their seats must be outside the sanctuary. Papal Thrones
In the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope is an elected monarchy|elected monarch, both under Canon law (Catholic Church)|canon law as papal supremacy|supreme head of the church, and under international law as the head of state -styled "sovereign pontiff"- of the Vatican City State (the sovereign state located within the city of Rome established by the Lateran Treaty in 1929. Until 1870 the Pope was the elected monarch of the Papal States, which for centuries constituted one of the largest political powers on the divided Italian peninsula). To this day the Holy See maintains officially-recognized diplomatic status, and papal nuncios and papal legate|legates are deputed on diplomatic missions throughout the world.
The throne upon which the Pope is traditionally seated as Bishop of Rome (the ''Cathedra Romana''), is located in the apse of the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano|Basilica of St. John Lateran, his cathedral. The throne upon which he sits as Pope is in the apse of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Enshrined above this throne is an armchair believed to have been used by Saint Peter, the first pope. This relic is known as the ''Chair of Saint Peter|Cathedra Sancti Petri'' (Chair of Saint Peter).
In the past, the pope was also carried on occasions in a portable throne, called the ''sedia gestatoria''. Originally, the ''sedia'' was used as part of the elaborate, ostentatious pomp surrounding papal ceremonies that was believed to be the most direct heir of pharaoh|pharaonic splendour, and included a pair of flabellum|flabella (fans made from ostrich feathers) to either side. Pope John Paul I at first abandoned the use of these implements, but later in his brief reign began to use the ''sedia'' so that he could be seen more easily by the crowds. However, he did not restore the use of the flabella. The use of the ''sedia'' was abandoned by Pope John Paul II in favor of the so-called "popemobile" when outside. Near the end of his pontificate, Pope John Paul II had a specially-constructed throne on wheels that could be used inside.
Prior to 1978, at the Papal conclave, each cardinal (Catholic)|cardinal was seated on a throne in the Sistine Chapel during the balloting. Each throne had a canopy over it. After a successful election, once the new pope accepted election and decided by what name he would be known, the cardinals would all lower their canopies, leaving only the canopy over the newly-elected pope. This was the new pope's first throne. This tradition was dramatically portrayed in the 1963 film, ''The Shoes of the Fisherman''.
Thrones in feudal times
In European feudal countries, monarchs often were seated on thrones, based in all likelihood on the Roman magisterial chair. These thrones were originally quite simple, especially when compared to their Asian counterparts. One of the grandest and most important was the Throne of Charlemagne in the "Imperial Cathedral" () at Aachen, the site of the coronation of 30 German kings and emperors of the Holy Roman Empire.
The Byzantine emperors made use of much more elaborate thrones, often guarded by stone lions. The emperor was initially seen behind a series of silken screens, which would be pulled aside if the foreign visitor was sufficiently important. As the throne was approached mechanical lion would roar and organs would play. On reaching the foot of the throne, the suppicant was forced to prostrate and touch his head to the ground, and the throne would rise into the air, so that when the visitor raised his head from the ground he would be astounded.Thrones in modern times
In some countries today which retain a monarchy, thrones are still used and have important symbolic and ceremonial meaning. However many modern day monarchies have dispensed with the usage of such symbolism as crown (headgear)|crowns, thrones and coronations.
Among the most famous thrones still in usage are St Edward's Chair, on which the British monarch is crowned, and the thrones used by monarchs during the state opening of parliaments in the United Kingdom, Denmark, The Netherlands, Canada, Australia, and Japan (see above) among others.
Some republics use distinctive throne-like chairs in some state ceremonial. The President of the United States sits on a distinctive high-backed white-clothed chair in the Oval Office in the White House when meeting distinguished visitors in front of the media.(The visitor sits in a matching chair.) The President of Ireland sits on a former Lord Lieutenant of Ireland|viceregal throne during his or her inauguration ceremony while Lord Mayor|Lords Mayor of many United Kingdom|British and Ireland|Irish cities often preside over local councils from throne-like chairs.
List of named thrones
- The Throne of Solomon
Europe
- The Throne of Apollo in Amyclae
- St. Edward's Chair in Westminster Abbey, London, where British monarchs are crowned. It at one time contained the Stone of Scone (also called the Stone of Destiny) upon which the Kings of Scotland were crowned
- The Throne of Charlemagne in the Aachen Cathedral|cathedral at Aachen, Germany
- The Ivory Throne of Ivan the Terrible
- The papal ''sedia gestatoria''
Africa
- the Asante royal thrones|Golden Stool of the Ashanti
- the Throne of David of the Emperors of Ethiopia
Asia
- the Dragon Throne of the Emperors of China
- the Chrysanthemum Throne of the Emperors of Japan
- the Phoenix Throne of the Monarch|Kings of Korea
- the Lion Throne of the Dalai Lama of Tibet
- the Lion Throne of Sikkim
- the stone throne of King Kasyapa from SriLanka http://www.andrews.edu/~vyhmeisr/pictures/Sri%20Lanka/pages/P1010123.html from the 5th century citadel of Sigiri
- the stone throne of King Nissankamalla from Sri Lanka http://lakdiva.org/codrington/chap04.html#nissanka from the 12th century Polonnaruwa kingdom
- the Kandian Throne of the Kingdom of Kandy and the Dominion of Ceylon
- the Peacock Throne of the Mughal Empire|Mughal Emperors, later became:
- the Peacock Throne of the Persian Empire|Persian Shahs
- the Takht-e Marmar of the Persian Empire|Persian Shahs
- the Peacock Throne of Korea
- the Peacock throne at Montchobo, then at Ava, ancient capitals of Burma
- the '''Saridhaleys''' 'ivory throne' and the '''sighsana''' 'lion throne' of the Maldives sultanate
- the sandalwood throne, at Bikaner Fort
- Maharaja Ranjit Singh's throne
Gallery
Thrones of kings and emperors
Image:SanktEdvardsstol westminster.jpg| King Edward's Chair, Westminster Abbey, England
Image:Thronsaal, Residenz München.jpg| Throne of the Bavarian King, Munich
Image:Ingres, Napoleon on his Imperial throne.jpg| Imperial throne of Napoleon
Image:Debret31.jpg| Throne of the Empire of Brazil|Emperor of Brazil, Pedro I.
Image:Palacio-real-de-madrid-sala-de-tronos.jpg| Thrones of the king and queen of Spain, Madrid
Image:Salon trono.jpg| Thrones, Buckingham Palace, London
Image:Throne of the netherlands.jpg| Throne of the monarch of The Netherlands in the Ridderzaal
Thrones of the popes
Image:SanGiovanniChiostro2.JPG| Throne of the pope, Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, Rome
Image:Roma-san giovanni03.jpg| Throne of the pope, Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, Rome
Image:Honorius3.JPG| Throne of Pope Honorius III.
Image:Pintoricchio 015.jpg| Throne of Pope Pius II. (Enea Silvio Piccolomini)
Other uses
- In music, the stool used to sit behind a drum kit is often called a throne.
- In religion, a niche in an altar piece for displaying the Holy Sacrament is called a throne.
- In slang, a common sit-down toilet is also called a throne.
- One of the Angel choirs is an order called Ophanim or 'Thrones', said to carry God's heavenly throne - other choir names expressing power in secular terms include Powers, Principalities, Dominions
Sources and references
See also
- Enthronement
External links
- RoyalArk- here India
Category:Monarchy
Category:Regalia
Category:Thrones|
simple:Throne
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Sources: StartLearningNow, Wikipedia | Usage license: GNU FDL
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