Athrone is the seat of state of a potentate ordignitary, especially the seat occupied by asovereign (orviceroy) on state occasions; or the seat occupied by apope orbishop on ceremonial occasions.[1] "Throne" in an abstract sense can also refer to themonarchy itself, an instance ofmetonymy, and is also used in many expressions such as "the power behind the throne".[2]
A throne is a symbol of divine and secular rule and the establishment of a throne as a defining sign of the claim to power and authority. It can be with a high backrest and feature heraldic animals or other decorations as adornment and as a sign of power and strength. A throne can be placed underneath a canopy orbaldachin. The throne can stand on steps or adais and is thus always elevated. The expression "ascend (mount) the throne" takes its meaning from the steps leading up to the dais or platform, on which the throne is placed, being formerly comprised in the word's significance.[3]Coats of arms or insignia can feature on throne or canopy and represent thedynasty. Even in the physical absence of the ruler an empty throne can symbolise the everlasting presence of the monarchical authority.
When used in a political or governmental sense, a throne typically exists in a civilization, nation, tribe, or other politically designated group that is organized or governed under amonarchical system. Throughout much of human history societies have been governed under monarchical systems, in the beginning asautocratic systems and later evolved in most cases asconstitutional monarchies within liberal democratic systems, resulting in a wide variety of thrones that have been used by given heads of state. These have ranged fromstools in places such as in Africa to ornate chairs and bench-like designs in Europe and Asia, respectively. Often, but not always, a throne is tied to a philosophical or religiousideology held by the nation or people in question, which serves a dual role in unifying the people under the reigning monarch and connecting the monarch upon the throne to their predecessors, who sat upon the throne previously. Accordingly, many thrones are typically held to have been constructed or fabricated out of rare or hard to find materials that may be valuable or important to the land in question. Depending on the size of the throne in question it may be large and ornately designed as an emplaced instrument of a nation's power, or it may be a symbolic chair with little or no precious materials incorporated into the design.
When used in a religious sense, throne can refer to one of two distinct uses. The first use derives from the practice in churches of having abishop or higher-ranking religious official (archbishop,pope, etc.) sit on a special chair which in church referred to by written sources as a "throne", or "cathedra" (Latin for 'chair') and is intended to allow such high-ranking religious officials a place to sit in their place of worship. The other use for throne refers to a belief among many of the world'smonotheistic andpolytheistic religions that the deity or deities that they worship are seated on a throne. Such beliefs go back to ancient times, and can be seen in surviving artwork and texts which discuss the idea of ancient gods (such as theTwelve Olympians) seated on thrones. In the majorAbrahamic religions ofJudaism,Christianity, andIslam, theThrone of Yahweh is attested to in religious scriptures and teachings, although the origin, nature, and idea of the Throne of Yahweh in these religions differs according to the given religious ideology practiced.
Thrones were found throughout the canon ofancient furniture. The depiction ofmonarchs and deities as seated on chairs is a common topos in the iconography of theAncient Near East.
The wordthrone itself is fromGreekθρόνος (thronos), "seat, chair",[4] in origin a derivation from theProto-Indo-European root*dʰer- "to support" (also indharma "post, sacrificial pole"). Early GreekΔιὸς θρόνους (Dios thronous)[5] was a term for the "support of the heavens", i.e. theaxis mundi, which term whenZeus became an anthropomorphic god was imagined as the "seat of Zeus".[6] In Ancient Greek, a "thronos" was a specific but ordinary type of chair with afootstool, a high status object but not necessarily with any connotations of power. TheAchaeans (according toHomer) were known to place additional, empty thrones in the royalpalaces andtemples so that the gods could be seated when they wished to be. The most famous of these thrones was the throne of Apollo inAmyclae.
TheRomans also had two types of thrones—one for theemperor and one for the goddessRoma whose statues were seated upon thrones, which became centers of worship.
In theMiddle Ages, the "Throne of Solomon" was associated withMary, mother of Jesus, who was depicted as thethrone 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 sixvirtues.Psalm 45:9 was also interpreted as referring to the Virgin Mary, with the entire Psalm describing a royal throne room.
Throne of the ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople in theFener, Istanbul. On thedais, theGospel Book isenthroned on acurule chair; in front of it, lower down is the patriarch's throne.
From ancient times,bishops where episcopal offices exist have been formally seated on a throne called acathedra (Greek:κάθεδρα, seat). Traditionally located in thesanctuary, the cathedra symbolizes the bishop's authority to teach the faith and to govern his flock. This is the origin of the expression "ex cathedra", which refers to the explicative authority, notably the extremely rarely used procedure required for a papal declaration to be 'infallible' underCatholic canon law. In several languages, the word deriving fromcathedra 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 aprince of the church in the secular sense), a bishop's primary church is called acathedral. In the Roman Catholic Church, abasilica—from the Greekbasilikos 'royal'—now refers to the presence there of a papalbaldachin, a kind ofumbraculum, part of hisregalia and insignia, and applies mainly to many cathedrals and Catholic churches of similar importance or splendor. Inclassical 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 emperorConstantine the Great andJustinian I are of the basilica style.
Some otherprelates besides bishops are permitted the use of thrones, such asabbots andabbesses. 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, Catholic bishops and higher prelates have a right to a canopy above their thrones at certain ecclesiastical functions. It is sometimes granted by specialprivilege 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. Theliturgical color 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.[7]
In theGreek Orthodox Church, the bishop's throne will often combine features of thekathisma (monastic choir stall) with appurtenances inherited from the Byzantine court, such as a pair of lions seated at the foot of the throne.
The term "throne" is often used to designate the ecclesiastical authority ofpatriarchs; for instance, "the Ecumenical Throne" refers to the authority of theEcumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.
Western bishops may also use afaldstool to fulfill the liturgical purpose of the cathedra when not in their own cathedral.
In theapse ofSaint Peter's Basilica, above the "Altar of the Chair" lies theCathedra Petri, a throne believed to have been used by St Peter himself and other earlier popes; thisrelic is enclosed in a gilt bronze casting and forms part of a huge monument designed byGian Lorenzo Bernini.
Unlike at his cathedral (Archbasilica of St. John Lateran), there is no permanentcathedra for the pope in St Peter's Basilica, so a removable throne is placed in the basilica for the pope's use whenever he presides over a liturgical ceremony. Prior to the liturgical reforms that occurred in the wake of theSecond Vatican Council, a huge removable canopied throne was placed above an equally removable dais in the choir side of the "Altar of the Confession" (thehigh altar above the tomb of St Peter and beneath the monumental bronzebaldachin); this throne stood between the apse and the Altar of the Confession.
This practice has fallen out of use with the 1960s and 1970s reform of Papal liturgy and, whenever the pope celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, a simpler portable throne is now placed on platform in front of the Altar of the Confession. Whenever PopeBenedict XVI celebrated theLiturgy of the Hours at St Peter's, a more elaborate removable throne was placed on a dais to the side of the Altar of the Chair. When the pope celebrates Mass on the basilica steps facingSt. Peter's Square, portable thrones are also used.
In the past, the pope was also carried on occasions in a portable throne, called thesedia gestatoria. Originally, thesedia was used as part of the elaborate procession surrounding papal ceremonies that was believed to be the most direct heir ofpharaonic splendor, and included a pair offlabella (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 thesedia so that he could be seen more easily by the crowds. The use of thesedia was abandoned byPope 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 thepapal conclave, eachcardinal was seated on a throne in theSistine Chapel during the balloting. Each throne had acanopy 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 1968 filmThe Shoes of the Fisherman.
In European feudal countries, monarchs often were seated on thrones, based in all likelihood on theRoman magisterial chair. These thrones were originally quite simple, especially when compared to their Asian counterparts.[citation needed] In practice, any chair the monarch occupied in a formal setting served as a "throne", though there were often special chairs used only for this purpose, kept in places the monarch often went to. Thrones began to be made in pairs, for the king and queen, which remained common in later periods. Sometimes they are identical, or the queen's throne may be slightly less grand.[citation needed]
The 10th-century throne of theByzantine emperor, placed in a dedicated throne hall, theMagnaura, included elaborateautomatons of singing birds and moving animals.[8]
The 10th-century throne ofIvan "the Terrible" (r. 1533-1584), dating from the mid-16th century, it is a product ofWest EuropeanRenaissance. It is shaped as a high-backed chair with arm rests, and adorned with ivory and walrus bone plaques intricately carved with mythological, heraldic and life scenes. Some carvings, depicting scenes from the biblical account ofKing David's life, are of particular relevance, as David was seen as the ideal for Christian monarchs.[9]
Although medieval examples tended to be retained in theearly modern period, having acquired the aura of tradition, when new thrones were made they either continued medieval styles or were just very grand and elaborate versions of contemporary chairs or armchairs.[citation needed]
In theIndian subcontinent, the traditionalSanskrit name for the throne wassiṃhāsana (lit., seat of a lion). In theMughal times the throne was calledShāhī takht ([ˈʃaːhiːˈtəxt]). The termgadi[10] orgaddi (Hindustani pronunciation:[ˈɡəd̪ːi], also calledrājgaddī) referred to a seat with a cushion used as a throne by Indian princes.[11] That term was usually used for the throne of a Hinduprincely state's ruler, while among Muslim princes or Nawabs, save exceptions such as theTravancore State royal family,[12] the termmusnad ([ˈməsnəd]), also spelt asmusnud, was more common, even though both seats were similar.
ThePeacock Throne was the seat of theMughal emperors of India. It was commissioned in the early 17th century by EmperorShah Jahan and was located in theRed Fort of Delhi. The original throne was subsequently captured and taken as a war trophy in 1739 by the Persian kingNadir Shah and has been lost ever since. A replacement throne based on the original was commissioned afterwards and existed until theIndian Rebellion of 1857.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh's throne was made by the goldsmith Hafez Muhammad Multani about 1820 to 1830. Made of wood and resin core, covered with sheets of repoussé, chased and engraved gold.[13]
In Burma, the traditional name for a throne ispalin, from thePali termpallaṅka, which means "couch" or "sofa." The Burmesepalin in pre-colonial times was used to seat the sovereign and his main consort, and is today used to seat religious leaders such assayadaws, and images of the Buddha. Royal thrones are calledyazapalin (ရာဇပလ္လင်), while thrones seating images or statues of the Buddha are calledgaw pallin (ဂေါ့ပလ္လင်) orsamakhan (စမ္မခဏ်), from the Pali termsammakhaṇḍa.
TheTakamikura throne kept in the Kyoto Imperial Palace is used for accession ceremonies. The metonym "Chrysanthemum Throne" is also used.
TheDragon Throne is the term used to identify the throne of theemperor of China. As thedragon was the emblem of divine imperial power, the throne of the emperor, who was considered a livinggod, was known as the Dragon Throne.[14] The term can refer to very specific seating, as in the special seating in various structures in theForbidden City ofBeijing or in the palaces of theOld Summer Palace. In an abstract sense, the "Dragon Throne" also refersrhetorically to thehead of state and to themonarchy itself.[15] TheDaoguang Emperor is said to have referred to his throne as "the divineutensil."
Thethrone of theemperors ofVietnam are often referred to asngai vàng ("golden throne") orngôi báu (大寳/寶座) literally "great precious" (seat/position). The throne is always adorned with the pattern and motif of theVietnamese dragon, which is the exclusive and privileged symbol of the Vietnamese emperors. The last existing imperial throne in Vietnam is the throne of theNguyễn emperors placed in the Hall of Supreme Harmony at theImperial City of Huế. It is designated as anational treasure of Vietnam.[16] InVietnamese folk religion, the gods, deities and ancestral spirits are believed to seat figuratively on thrones at places of worship. Therefore, on Vietnamese altars, there are various types of liturgical "throne" often decorated with red paint and golden gilding.[17]
TheChrysanthemum Throne (皇位,kōi; lit. "Imperial position/rank") is the term used to identify the throne of theemperor of Japan. The term also can refer to very specific seating, such as thetakamikura (高御座) throne in the Shishin-den atKyoto Imperial Palace.[18]
In some countries with a monarchy, thrones are still used and have important symbolic and ceremonial meaning. Among the most famous thrones still in usage areSt Edward's Chair, on which theBritish monarch is crowned, and the thrones used by monarchs during the state opening of parliaments in theUnited Kingdom, theNetherlands,Canada,Australia, andJapan (see above) among others.
Inslang, a common sit-downtoilet is also called a throne, or more formally the 'porcelain throne'.
One of the Angel choirs is an order calledOphanim or 'Thrones', said to carry God's heavenly throne — other choir names expressing power in secular terms include Powers, Principalities, Dominions.
Metzger, Martin (1985).Königsthron und Gottesthron. Thronformen und Throndarstellungen in Ägypten und im Vorderen Orient im dritten und zweiten Jahrtausend vor Christus und deren Bedeutung für das Verständnis von Aussagen über den Thron im Alten Testament [Royal throne and divine throne. Forms of thrones and representations of thrones in Egypt and the Near East in the third and second millennium BC and their significance for the understanding of statements about the throne in the Old Testament]. Alter Orient und Altes Testament, vol. 15. Neukirchen-Vluyn: Neukirchener Verlag,ISBN3-7887-0724-0.
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