Throne

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This article is about royal and ecclesiastical thrones. For other uses, see Throne (disambiguation).
A drawing of a throne, on a dais under a baldachin

A throne is the seat of state of a potentate or dignitary, especially the seat occupied by a sovereign (or viceroy) on state occasions; or the seat occupied by a pope or bishop on ceremonial occasions.[1] "Throne" in an abstract sense can also refer to the monarchy itself, an instance of metonymy, 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 or baldachin. The throne can stand on steps or a dais 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 the dynasty. 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 a monarchical system. Throughout much of human history societies have been governed under monarchical systems, in the beginning as autocratic systems and later evolved in most cases as constitutional monarchies within liberal democratic systems, resulting in a wide variety of thrones that have been used by given heads of state. These have ranged from stools 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 religious ideology 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 his or her 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 a bishop 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's monotheistic and polytheistic 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 the Twelve Olympians) seated on thrones. In the major Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the Throne 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.

In the west, a throne is most identified as the seat upon which a person holding the title King, Queen, Emperor, or Empress sits in a nation using a monarchy political system, although there are a few exceptions, notably with regards to religious officials such as the pope and bishops of various sects of the Christian faith. Changing geo-political tides have resulted in the collapse of several dictatorial and autocratic governments, which in turn have left a number of throne chairs empty. Many of these thrones—such as China's Dragon Throne—survive today as historic examples of nation's previous government.

Antiquity

Fanciful depiction of Solomon on his throne

Thrones were found throughout the canon of ancient furniture. The depiction of monarchs and deities as seated on chairs is a common topos in the iconography of the Ancient Near East.

The word

PIE root *dher- "to support" (also in dharma "post, sacrificial pole"). Early Greek Διὸς θρόνους (Dios thronous)[5] 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".[6] In Ancient Greek, a "thronos" was a specific but ordinary type of chair with a footstool, a high status object but not necessarily with any connotations of power. 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

Roma
whose statues were seated upon thrones, which became centers of worship.

Persia

Xerxes the Great
seated on a throne

In

Achaemenid era to the last Iranian dynasty Pahlavi, the throne was used for sitting shahs
.

Hebrew Bible

The word "throne" in

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

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).

Christian

Main article: Cathedra

Biblical

seraphim surround the throne of Christ, twenty-four elders sit on thrones to either side (Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry
)

In the Old Testament, Book of Kings I explicits the throne of Solomon: "Then the king made a great throne covered with ivory and overlaid with fine gold. The throne had six steps, and its back had a rounded top. On both sides of the seat were armrests, with a lion standing beside each of them. Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step" in Chapter 10 18-20.[7]

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."

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

virtues. Psalm 45:9
was also interpreted as referring to the Virgin Mary, with the entire Psalm describing a royal throne room.

Ecclesiastical

curule chair
, in front of it, lower down is the patriarch's throne.

From ancient times,

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 '

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

Justinian
are of the basilica style.

Some other

prelates besides bishops are permitted the use of thrones, such as 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

liturgical 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.[8]

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

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

Drawing of the Cathedra Sancti Petri, in St. Peter's Basilica, Rome

In the

Vatican City State (the sovereign state within the city of Rome established by the 1929 Lateran Treaty). 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 recognised diplomatic status, and papal nuncios and legates are deputed on diplomatic missions
throughout the world.

The pope's throne (Cathedra Romana) is located in the

Bishop of Rome
.

In the

Saint Peter's Basilica, above the "Altar of the Chair" lies the Cathedra Petri, a throne believed to have been used by St Peter himself and other earlier popes; this relic is enclosed in a gilt bronze casting and forms part of a huge monument designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini
.

Unlike at his cathedral (Archbasilica of St. John Lateran), there is no permanent

baldachin
); 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 Pope

Benedict XVI celebrated the Liturgy 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 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 splendor, 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. 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

The Shoes of the Fisherman
.

Medieval and early modern periods

Throne of Charlemagne at Aachen Cathedral

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

King David's life are of particular relevance, as David was seen as the ideal for Christian monarchs.[9]
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 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.

The throne of the Byzantine Empire (Magnaura) included elaborate automatons of singing birds.[10] In the 'regency' (nominally an Ottoman province, de facto an independent realm) of the bey of Tunis, the throne was called kursi.

Although medieval examples tended to be retained in the early 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.

South Asia

Painting of the (later) Peacock Throne in the Diwan-i-Khas of the Red Fort, around 1850

In the

Travancore State royal family,[13]
the term musnad ([ˈməsnəd]), also spelt as musnud, was more common, even though both seats were similar.

The Throne of Jahangir was built by Mughal emperor Jahangir in 1602 and is located at the Diwan-i-Khas (hall of private audience) at the Agra Fort.

The

Nadir Shah and has been lost ever since. A replacement throne based on the original was commissioned afterwards and existed until the Indian 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.[14]

The Golden Throne or

Ratna Simahasana in Kannada is the royal seat of the rulers of the Kingdom of Mysore
. The Golden Throne is kept at Mysore Palace.

Southeast Asia

Painting of the Burmese royal throne in the shape of a palin
See also: Palin (throne)

In Burma, the traditional name for a throne is palin, from the Pali term pallaṅka, which means "couch" or "sofa." The Burmese palin in pre-colonial times was used to seat the sovereign and his main consort, and is today used to seat religious leaders such as sayadaws, and images of the Buddha. Royal thrones are called yazapalin (ရာဇပလ္လင်), while thrones seating images or statues of the Buddha are called gaw pallin (ဂေါ့ပလ္လင်) or samakhan (စမ္မခဏ်), from the Pali term sammakhaṇḍa.

East Asia

The Takamikura throne kept in the Kyoto Imperial Palace is used for accession ceremonies. The metonym "Chrysanthemum Throne" is also used.

The

rhetorically to the head of state and to the monarchy itself.[16] The Daoguang Emperor is said to have referred to his throne as "the divine utensil
."

The throne of the emperors of Vietnam are often referred to as ngai vàng ("golden throne") or ngôi báu (大寳/寶座) literally "great precious" (seat/position). The throne is always adorned with the pattern and motif of the Vietnamese dragon, which is the exclusive and privileged symbol of the Vietnamese emperors. The last existing imperial throne in Vietnam is the throne of the Nguyễn emperors placed in the Hall of Supreme Harmony at the Imperial City of Huế. It is designated as a national treasure of Vietnam.[17] In Vietnamese 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.[18]

The

Gyeongbok Palace
in Seoul.

The Chrysanthemum Throne (皇位, kōi, lit. "Imperial position/rank") is the term used to identify the throne of the emperor of Japan. The term also can refer to very specific seating, such as the takamikura (高御座) throne in the Shishin-den at Kyoto Imperial Palace.[19]

The throne of the Ryukyu Kingdom is located in Shuri Castle, Naha.

Modern period

Throne-like chair of the Lord Mayor of London in London's Guildhall

During the

Anna Ivanovna in London. There is also a throne in the Grand Throne Room of the Peterhof Palace
.

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 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 and lords provost of many British and Irish cities often preside over local councils from throne-like chairs.

Owing to its symbolic nature, a toilet is often jokingly referred to as "a throne" (namely, the "porcelain throne").

List

The Silver Throne of Sweden, inside Stockholm Palace
Ivan IV of Russia
.
The Dragon Throne of the emperor of China in the Forbidden City in Beijing.

Africa

Asia

Europe

North America

speaker
's chair is at centre)

Gallery

Africa

  • The Assante Golden Stool on its throne, the hwedom dwa (1935)
    The Assante Golden Stool on its throne, the hwedom dwa (1935)
  • Throne of emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia
    Throne of emperor
    Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia
  • Throne of the bey of Tunis, Bardo Palace
    Throne of the
    bey of Tunis, Bardo Palace

Asia-Pacific

Europe

South America

See also

Other uses

  • In music, the stool used to sit behind a drum kit is often called a throne.
  • In
    Holy Sacrament
    is called a throne.
  • In slang, a common sit-down toilet is also called a throne, or more formally the 'porcelain 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

  1. ISBN 0-19-861186-2
  2. ^ Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th edition, 1910–1911 vol. 26, p. 891-2.
  3. ^ Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th edition, 1910–1911 vol. 26, p. 891-2.
  4. ^ θρόνος Archived 2020-10-01 at the Wayback Machine, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus
  5. ^ Sophocles, Antigone, 1041 Archived 2021-04-13 at the Wayback Machine, on Perseus
  6. ^ Janda, Michael, Die Musik nach dem Chaos, Innsbruck 2010.
  7. ^ "Bible Gateway passage: 1 Kings 10 - New International Version". Bible Gateway. Archived from the original on 2023-05-01. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  8. ^ "Canopy". The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. III. New York: Robert Appleton Company. 1908. Retrieved 2007-07-12.
  9. ^ "Throne of Ivan IV the Terrible". Regalia of Russian Tsars. The Moscow Kremlin. Archived from the original on 2017-06-29. Retrieved 2007-07-12.
  10. S2CID 163031682
    .
  11. ISBN 9789693516852
    throughout 408 p
  12. ^ Mark Brentnall, ed. The Princely and Noble Families of the Former Indian Empire: Himachal Pradesh pg. 301
  13. ^ Velu Pillai. Travancore State Manual (1940)
  14. ^ "The Court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh". Vam.ac.uk. 13 January 2011. Archived from the original on 25 May 2011. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  15. ^ Arnold, Julean Herbert. (1920). Commercial Handbook of China, p. 446. Archived 2023-04-07 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ Williams, David. (1858). The preceptor's assistant, or, Miscellaneous questions in general history, literature, and science, p. 153. Archived 2023-04-05 at the Wayback Machine Books.google.com
  17. ^ Prime Minister of Vietnam (23 December 2015), Quyết định số 2382/QĐ-TTg của Thủ tướng Chính phủ: Về việc công nhận bảo vật quốc gia [Decision No. 2382/QD-TTg on recognition of national treasures] (in Vietnamese), Viet Nam Government Portal, archived from the original on 24 April 2021, retrieved 2 March 2021
  18. ^ Hue-Tam Ho Tai (2021), Religion in Vietnam: A World of Gods and Spirits, Asia Society, archived from the original on 25 February 2021, retrieved 2 March 2021
  19. ^ Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1959). The Imperial House of Japan, p. 337.
  20. ^ "Sri Lanka". www.andrews.edu. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  21. ^ "Chapter IV".
  22. ^ "A nation that spotlights poets".
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