- Diadem (personal wear)
A diadem is a type of crown, specifically an ornamental headband worn by Eastern monarchs and others as a badge of royalty. The word derives from the Greek διάδημα "diadema", from διάδηω "diadeo" to bind round, or fasten.
The term originally referred to a white ribbon, ending in a knot and two strips often placed on the shoulders, that surrounded the head of the king to denote his authority. It was applied later to a crown, generally in a circular shape. For example, the crown worn by the kings of Anglo-Saxon England was a diadem, as was that of a
baron later (in some countries surmounted by three globes). The ancient Celts were believed to have used a thin semioval gold plate called a "mind" (Old Irish) as a diadem. [William Dwight Whitney, "The Century dictionary; an encyclopedic lexicon of the English language". New York: The Century co. (1889), page 3772. Google Book Search.]A diadem is also a jeweled ornament in the shape of a half crown, worn by women and placed over the forehead (in this sense, also called
tiara ). In some societies, it may be awreath worn around the head. The ancient Persians wore a high and erect royal tiara encircled with a diadem.By extension, "diadem" can be used generally for an emblem of regal power or dignity.
References
External links
* [http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Crown Crown - LoveToKnow 1911.] 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica - Free Online.
* [http://www.livius.org/di-dn/diadem/diadem.html Diadem.] Livius. Articles on Ancient History.
* [http://www.everything2.org/title/Diadem diadem@Everything2.com.] Everything@Everything2.com.
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