Crown
precious item of headwear, symbolizing the power of a ruler
A crown (Latin: corona) is a traditional form of head adornment, or hat, worn by monarchs as a symbol of their power and dignity. A crown is often, by extension, a symbol of the monarch's government or items endorsed by it. The word itself is used, particularly in Commonwealth countries, as an abstract name for the monarchy itself (and, by extension, the state of which said monarch is head) as distinct from the individual who inhabits it (that is, The Crown). A specific type of crown (or coronet for lower ranks of peerage) is employed in heraldry under strict rules. Indeed, some monarchies never had a physical crown, just a heraldic representation, as in the constitutional kingdom of Belgium.
Quotes
edit- And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
- My crown is in my heart, not on my head;
Not decked with diamonds and Indian stones,
Not to be seen. My crown is called content;
A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy.- William Shakespeare, Henry VI, Part 3, III, i (King Henry)
- Within the hollow crown
That rounds the mortal temples of a king
Keeps Death his court.- William Shakespeare, Richard II, III, ii (Richard)
- In his livery
Walked crowns and crownets; realms and islands were
As plates dropped from his pocket.- William Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra, V, ii (Cleopatra)