Regalia is Latin
plurale tantum for the privileges and the insignia characteristic of a
Sovereign.
The word stems from the Latin substantivation of the adjective
regalis, 'regal', itself from
Rex, 'king'.
Regalia in the Abstract
The term can refer to
rights,
prerogatives and
privileges enjoyed exclusively by any
sovereign regardless of title (
Emperor,
Grand Duke, etc.) An example is the right to
mint coins, especially with one's own
effigy. In many cases, especially in
feudal societies and generally weak
states, such rights have in time been eroded by grants to or usurpations by lesser
vassals.
Regalia as Sovereign Insignia
Some
emblems,
symbols, or
paraphernalia possessed by rulers are a visual representation of
Imperial,
royal or
sovereign status. Some are shared with
divinities, either to symbolize a god(ess)'s role as, say, king of the
Pantheon (e.g. Brahman's sceptre) or to allow mortal royalty to resemble, identify with, or link to a
Divinity.
Russian historical regalia
The term
Crown Jewels is commonly used for regalia items designed to lend luster to occasions such as coronations. They feature some combination of precious materials, artistic merit, and symbolic or historical value.
Crown jewels may have been designated at the start of a dynasty, accumulated through many years of tradition, or sent as tangible recognition of legitimacy by some leader such as the
Pope to an
emperor or
caliph.
Each culture, even each monarchy and/or dynasty within one culture, may have its own historical traditions, and some even have a specific name for its regalia, or at least for an important subset, such as :
But some elements occur in many traditions.
Headgear
Austrian Imperial Crown
Other Regal Dress and Jewelry
- (Russian word), a detachable silk collar with medallions of precious material sewn to it, as used in Moscovy
- Rings, symbolizing the Monarch's 'marriage' to the state (in the case of the Doge of the Republic of Venice, to its lifeblood, the sea); or as a Signet-Ring, a practical attribute of his power to command legally
Manipulable Symbols of Power
- Other weapons, such as a dagger (as in Arabian and Indian traditions), a spear, or a royal kris (in Malay traditions)
Other Manipulable Symbols
Regalia can also stand for other attributes or virtues, i.e. what is expected from the holder.
Thus the
Imperial Regalia of Japan (Jp: 三種の神器; "Sanshu no Jingi", or "Three Sacred Treasures"), also known as the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan as follows.
Since 690, the presentation of these items to the
Emperor by the priests at the shrine are a central part of the imperial enthronement ceremony. As this ceremony is not public, the regalia are by tradition only seen by the
Emperor and certain priests, and no known photographs or drawings exist..
Coronation Paraphernalia
Some regalia objects are presented and/or used in the formal ceremonial of
enthronement/
coronation. They can be associated with an office or court
sinecure (cfr. Archoffices) that enjoys the privilege to carry, present/or at use it at the august occasion, and sometimes on other formal occasions, such as a royal funeral.
Such objects, with or without intrinsic
symbolism, can include
- *Sacred ampulla containing the ointment
- *Spoon for the same ointment
Companions' Attributes
Apart from the Sovereign himself, attributes (especially a crown) can be used for close relatives who are allowed to share in the pomp. For example, in Norway the Queen-consort and the crown prince are the only other members of the
Royal Family to be crowned and share in the
Sovereign's royal symbolism.
Reserved Colour
In the
Roman Empire the colour
Tyrian purple, produced with an extremely expensive
Mediterranean mollusk extract, was in principle reserved for the
Imperial Court. The use of this dye was extended to various dignitaries, such as members of the
Roman senate who wore stripes of Tyrian purple on their
white togas, for whom the term
purpuratus was coined as a high aulic distinction.
In late Imperial China, the colour yellow was reserved for the emperor, as it had a multitude of meanings. Yellow was a symbol of gold, and thus wealth and power, and since it was also the colour that symbolized the center in Chinese cosmology (the five elements, or
wu xing(五行)), it was the perfect way to refer to the emperor, who was always in the middle of the universe. Consequently, peasants and noblemen alike were forbidden to wear robes made entirely out of yellow, although they were allowed to use the colour sparingly.
Additional Display
- * A Fanfare or other specific piece of music
- * Reserved instruments, such as silver trumpets, or in India (especially Mewar) the Nakkara drum
See also
For other meanings, such as the generalization of the term to all
decorations or
insignia indicative of a lower
office (such as a Chain of Office) or of membership in an
order or
society;
Other uses
By analogy, the term Regalia is also applied, technically improperly, to formal insignia in other contexts, such as
academic regalia.
