Throne
- This article is about royal thrones; for other meanings see Throne (disambiguation).
The thrones for
Elizabeth II as Queen of Canada, and the
Duke of Edinburgh (back) in the Canadian Senate,
Ottawa are usually occupied by the
Governor General and their spouse at the Opening of Parliament. The chair in the foreground is for the speaker of the senate.
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 "
the power behind the throne".
Antiquity
The depiction of monarchs and deities as seated on chairs is a common topos in the iconography of the
Ancient Near East.
The word
throne itself is from
Greek θρόνος (
thronos), "seat, chair",
[1] in origin a derivation from the PIE root
*dher- "to support" (also in
dharma "post, sacrificial pole"). Early Greek Διὸς θρόνους (
Dios thronous)
[2] was a term for the "support of the heavens", i.e. the
axis mundi, which term when
Zeus became an anthropomorphic god was imagined as the "seat of Zeus".
[3] The
Achaeans (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
Romans also had two types of thrones- one for the
Emperor and one for the goddess
Roma whose statues were seated upon thrones, which became centers of worship.
Hebrew Bible
Fanciful depiction of
Solomon on his throne
The word "throne" in
English translations of the Bible renders Hebrew
כסא kissā'. The
Pharaoh of the Exodus is described as sitting on a throne (Exodus 11:5, 12:29), but mostly the term refers to the throne of the
kingdom of Israel, often called the "throne of
David" or "throne of
Solomon". The literal throne of Solomon is described in
1 Kings 10:18-20: "Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the best gold.. The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays. And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom." In the
Book of Esther (5:3), the same word refers to the throne of the king of Persia.
The God of Israel himself is frequently described as sitting on a throne in the
Psalms, and in a vision
Isaiah (6:1), and notably in Isaiah 66:1, YHWH says of himself "The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool" (this verse is alluded to by
Matthew 5:34-35.
Christianity
Christian Bible
In the
New Testament, the angel
Gabriel also refers to this throne in the
Gospel of Luke (
1:32-33): "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
Apostles that they would sit upon "twelve thrones", judging the twelve tribes of Israel (
Matthew 19:28).
John's
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" (
Revelation 20:11).
The Apostle Paul speaks of "
thrones" in
Colossians 1:16.
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.
Psalm 45:9 was also interpreted as referring to the Virgin Mary, the entire Psalm describing a royal throne room.
Ecclesiastical thrones
Throne of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople in the Phanar, Istanbul. On the dais the
Gospel is enthroned on a
curule chair, in front of it, lower down is the patriarch's throne.
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 (
Greek:
κάθεδρα, seat). 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 '
infallible' under Roman Catholic
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
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.
[4]
In the
Greek Orthodox Church, the bishop's throne will often combine features of the monastic choir stall (
kathisma) 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 in reference to Patriarchs to designate their ecclesiastical authority; for instance, "the Ecumenical Throne" refers to the authority of the
Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.
Western bishops may also use a
faldstool to fulfill the liturgical purpose of the cathedra when not in their own cathedral.
Papal Thrones
Cathedra Sancti Petri, behind the high altar of St. Peter's Basilica, Rome
In the
Roman Catholic Church, the
Pope is an elected monarch, both under
canon law as
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
legatesare deputed on
diplomatic missions throughout the world.
The Pope's throne (the
Cathedra Romana), is located in the apse of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, his
cathedral as
Bishop of Rome.
In apse of Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, above the
Altar of the Chair lies a throne believed to have been used by St. Peter himself, and that was also used by other earlier Popes; this
relic is enclosed in a glit bronze casting and forms part of a huge monument designed by
Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Unlike the Papal Cathedral of St. John Lateran, there is no permanent
cathedra for the Pope in St. Peter's basilica, so a removable throne is placed in the St. Peter's basilica for the Pope's use whenever a liturgical ceremony presided by him takes place. Prior to the liturgical reforms that occurred in the wake of the
Second Vatican Council, a huge removable throne, with a canopy, was placed above an also removable dais in the choir side of the
Altar of the Confession (the basilica's High Altar, above the tomb of St. Peter and beneath the monumental
bronze baldachinno); this throne stood between the apse of the basilica (where the Altar of the Chair and the
Cathedra Petri monument are) and the Altar of the Confession.
After the reform of Papal liturgy that happeened in the late 1960s and early 1970s, this practice has fallen out of use, and, whenever the Pope celebrates Mass in St. Peter's basilica, a simpler portable throne is now placed in front of the Altar of the Confession, over a platform. Since the pontificate of Benedict XVI, however, when the Pope celebrates the
Liturgy of the Hours at the basilica, a more ellaborate removable Throne over a dais is placed to the side of the Altar of the Chair. Whenever the Pope celebrates Mass on the steps of the Basilica, facing St. Peter's square, portable thrones are also used.
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 procession surrounding papal ceremonies that was believed to be the most direct heir of
pharaonic splendour, and included a pair of
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 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.
Middle Ages
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 Ivan "the Terrible". Dating from the mid-16th century, 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. The plaques carved with scenes from the biblical account of King David’s life are of particular relevance, as David was seen as the ideal for Christian monarchs.
[5]
The throne of the
Byzantine Empire included elaborate
automatons of singing birds.
[6]
In the Indian subcontinent, the term
gaddi (
Hindustani pronunciation: [ˈɡəd̪d̪i], also called
rājgaddī) was reserved for the throne of a Hindu
princely state's ruler, while their Muslim colleagues throned on a
musnad(
[ˈməsnəd]), even though both were in the shape of a
divan. In the
Mughal times the throne was called
Shāhī takht (
[ˈʃaːhiː ˈtəxt]), while traditional
Sanskrit name for the throne was
singhāsana (lit., seat of a lion).
In the '
regency' (nominally an Ottoman province, de facto an independent realm) of the
Bey of Tunis, the throne was called
kursi.
Modern period
During the
Russian Empire, the throne in St. George's Hall (the "Greater Throne Room") in the
Winter Palace was regarded as
the throne of Russia. It sits atop a seven-stepped
dais with a proscenium arch above and the symbol of the Imperial Family behind (the two-headed eagle).
Peter I's Room (the "Smaller Throne Room") is modest in comparison to the former. The throne was made for Empress Anna Ivanovna in London. There is also a throne in the Grand Throne Room of the Peterhof Palace.
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
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, the
Netherlands,
Canada,
Australia, and Japan (see above) among others.
Some republics use distinctive throne-like chairs in some state ceremonial. The
President of Ireland sits on a former
viceregal throne during his or her
inauguration ceremony while
Lords Mayor of many
British and
Irish cities often preside over local councils from throne-like chairs.
List of named thrones
Europe
Africa
Asia
Gallery
Thrones of kings and emperors
| | Тронный зал Петра I в Зимнем Дворце.jpg Imperial throne of Peter I The Great
| Imperial throne of Napoleon
|
| Thrones of the king and queen of Spain, Madrid
| Throne of Polish King Stanisław August Poniatowski at Warsaw Royal Castle
| |
Thrones of the popes
Throne of the pope, Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, Rome
| Throne of the pope, Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, Rome
| | |
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
- ^ θρόνος, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus
- ^ Sophocles, Antigone, 1041, on Perseus
- ^ Janda, Michael, Die Musik nach dem Chaos, Innsbruck 2010.
- ^ "Canopy". The Catholic Encyclopedia. III. New York: Robert Appleton Company. 1908. Retrieved 2007-07-12.
- ^ "Throne of Ivan IV the Terrible". Regalia of Russian Tsars. The Moscow Kremlin. Retrieved 2007-07-12.
- ^ Brett, Gerard (1954-07). "The Automata in the Byzantine "Throne of Solomon"". Speculum 29 (3): 477–487. doi:10.2307/2846790.ISSN 00387134 . Retrieved 2009-09-19.
See also
External links
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