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How did the Throne Develop as a Royal Symbol

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[[File:Knossos 07.jpeg|thumbnail|300px|left|Figure 1. Europe's oldest known throne room is from Knossos in Crete, which is reconstructed here.]]__NOTOC__The throne has been a type of royal furniture that has often been associated with the very nature of monarchy. A monarch's authority is often symbolized through the throne and how . Whether the throne is extraordinarily elaborate or sometimes simple can actually help symbolize the throne may be has come to symbolize nature of the country in which they rule. This symbolism is so useful and powerful that even fiction writers will construct thrones to help tell their stories. George R. R. Martin created the Iron Throne (a throne literally made from the swords of the defeated) to show the reader that the history of Westeros was extraordinarily violent. While modern government in the West has eschewed monarchy, the throne still retains an important symbolic power that also has religious and other cultural connotations.
==Early Thrones and Cultures==
From the very first evidence of the establishment of royal authority we begin to see a throne or idea of a raised seat depicted in royal imagery. Both in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, depictions of thrones are shown soon after those regions developed royal power. The throne was not just a raised seat but also was placed into a special room, the throne room, where royalty began to receive and meet with foreigners and subjects alike. Thrones were already decorated, often made with ebony, cedar, and gilded with gold or even ivory. Thrones also became raised, to show the status of the king. Often a large stone slab or platform was used to raise the seat. For Egypt, this was particularly important because the king (or pharaoh) was also a god and being raised indicated the divine nature of authority.<ref>For more on early monarchs and thrones in Egypt and Mesopotamia, see:Houston, M.G. (2002) <i>Ancient Egyptian, Mesopotamian & Persian costume.</i> Mineola, N.Y, Dover Publications.</ref>
[[File:Teocalli.jpeg|thumbnail|300px|left|Figure 2. The so-called throne of Montezuma. ]]
For deities, they also became associated as seated figures who resided in special houses (or temples). Sometimes these deities were represented as statues placed in a niche but often they were also represented as seated figures who sat on a throne of authority. In particular, deities associated with monarchs, such as the sun god, were more typically seated, where they would be shown imparting wisdom on rulers to govern their people. This concept is also in the Bible, where Yahweh is described as seated on a throne.<ref>For more on how early gods were depicted as seated figures, see: James B. Pritchard & Daniel E. Fleming (eds.) (2011) <i>The ancient Near East: an anthology of texts and pictures.</i> Princeton, N.J, Princeton University Press.
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From What is telling about thrones is that they were common as soon as regions began to develop the very first evidence of the establishment idea of kings and royal authority we begin to see a throne or idea . Few other pieces of furniture became so common throughout much of a raised seat depicted in royal imagerythe ancient world. Both in In ancient Egypt China, chairs were classified and Mesopotamia, depictions associated with classes of thrones are shown soon after those regions developed royal powerpeople who could sit on certain chairs. The throne was not just a raised seat but also was placed into a special roomThrones in China, the throne roomlike many other regions, where royalty began to receive and meet with foreigners and subjects alike. Thrones were already decoratedbe named, often made with ebonythe latest name used was the Dragon Throne, cedar, and gilded with gold or even ivorywhere the name lasted until the last Qing Dynasty emperor in the early 20th century. Thrones also became raisedIn India, to show the status ancient name for the throne was the seat of the kinglion. Often a large stone slab or platform Similar to China, it was used to raise the seatintricately decorated and was only associated with royal authority. <ref>For Egyptmore on thrones around Asia, this was particularly important because the king see: Stunkel, K.R. (or pharaoh2011) was also a god <i> Ideas and art in Asian civilizations: India, China, and being raised indicated the divine nature of authorityJapan.</i> Armonk, N.Y, M.E. Sharpe, Inc.</ref>
For deitiesEurope's oldest throne room is found at the palace of Knossos (Figure 1), they also became associated as seated figures who resided a city in Crete that existed in special houses (or temples)the 2nd millennium BCE. Sometimes these deities were represented as statues placed in Similar to the ancient Near East, the idea of a niche throne room was also meant to not only have the raised chair and platform where the king would receive people but often they were wall decorations of griffins, which also represented became symbols of protection of royal power in the Mediterranean and stretching to Central Asia, began to be prominently displayed. Such mythical symbols continued into modern eras as seated figures who sat on a throne symbols of authorityprotection, often for the state. In particular, deities associated with monarchsAt Knossos, such as the sun godthrone also was surrounded by benches, which were more typically seatedpossibly used by the king's council. Thus, thrones and the throne room also began to symbolize a type of court where they council would be shown imparting wisdom on rulers given to govern their peoplethe king. This concept is also in Later, the Bible idea of a parliament retained this idea, where Yahweh is described as seated a king would receive council sitting on a raised throne. <ref>For more on Knossos, see: Castleden, R. (1990) <i>The Knossos labyrinth: a new view of the ‘Palace of Minos’ at Knosos.</i> London ; New York, Routledge.</ref>
What is telling about thrones is that they Thrones were common also independently used in the New World. Aztec gods, such as soon Ehecatl, were shown as regions began to develop seated on thrones. An elaborate throne in Tenochtitlan was found, called the idea throne of kings Montezuma (Figure 2), which was used for religious and royal authorityceremony. Few other pieces The Aztec king likely sat on it to perform his religious duties where he made contact with the earth and sun, acting as the sacred guardian of furniture became so common throughout much both these important symbols of the religious authority.<ref>For more on Mayan thrones, see: McKillop, H. (2004) <i>The ancient worldMaya: new perspectives. In </i> ABC-Clio’s understanding ancient Chinacivilizations. Santa Barbara, chairs were classified and associated with classes of people who could sit on certain chairsCalif. Thrones in China, like many other regionsABC-CLIO, began to be namedpg. 220</ref><ref>For more on the Aztec thrones, see: Mundy, with the latest name used was the Dragon ThroneB.E. (2015) <i>The death of Aztec Tenochtitlan, where the name lasted until the last Qing Dynasty emperor rules life of Mexico City.</i> Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long series in the early 20th centuryLatin American and Latino art and culture. In IndiaAustin, the ancient name for the throne was the seat University of the lion. Similar to ChinaTexas Press, it was intricately decorated and was only associated with royal authoritypg.216</ref>
Europe's oldest ==Later Authority==[[File:Taisho enthronement.jpeg|thumbnail|left|300px|Figure 3. The throne room is found at used to coronate Emperor Taishō.]]Taking the palace idea of Knossosroyal and religious thrones, a city in Crete when Christianity developed it was seen that existed both high priests, such as bishops or the pope, had authority to sit on thrones as well as kings. In effect, the close nature and symbolism shared between royal and religious power led to similar displays developed in the 2nd millennium BCEcathedrals, churches, and palaces. Similar European royal thrones, however, developed into more simple designs in contrast to earlier periods or from the ancient Near Eastroyal thrones in Asia (e.g., China or India). Initially in Europe, kings tried to fashion themselves as continuing the idea traditions of Rome. Royal thrones became more simple as a throne room was also meant sign of respect to not only have the raised chair religious authority and platform where God.<ref>For more on European thrones in the king would receive people but wall decorations early Medieval period, see: Collins, R. (2010) <i>Early medieval Europe, 300-1000.</i> History of griffinsEurope. 3rd ed. Houndmills, Basingstoke [England] ; New York, NY, Palgrave Macmillan.</ref> <dh-ad/> As royal thrones generally became simple in decoration in Europe, religious ones became more elaborate. Bishop thrones in cathedrals or eastern Orthodox thrones, in particular, which also became symbols of gilded with gold and elaborately decorated. The raised platforms, similar to royal power in thrones, began to symbolize the Mediterranean religious authority figures such as bishops and stretching popes had to Central Asiateach the masses. In fact, the elaborate nature of thrones became one of the issues that the Reformation decried against. At Knossos<ref>For more on religious thrones, see: McNamara, D.R. (2009) <i>Catholic church architecture and the throne also was surrounded spirit of the liturgy.</i> Chicago, Hillenbrand Books.</ref>  However, by benchesthe later Medieval era, which some European states began to not only become more wealthy but the simple thrones and regalia were possibly used by updated to reflect growing power. One of the more elaborately decorated thrones was that of Ivan the Terrible, who ruled in the 16th century. Ivan was known as a megalomaniac king's counciland lavished his own power greatly. ThusIn effect, his throne continued the millennia long tradition of thrones also became to symbolize a reflecting the type of court where council would be given power royal authorities wanted to display, even when that display shifted from more humble depictions to one of showing more grandeur.<ref>For more on Ivan the kingTerrible and his throne, see: Payne, P.S.R. Later& Romanoff, N. (2002) <i>Ivan the idea of a parliament retained this ideaTerrible.</i> 1. Cooper Square Press ed. New York, NY, where a king would receive council sitting on a raised throneCooper Square Press.</ref>
Thrones were also independently used in the New World. Aztec godsIn Asia, thrones continued to be named such as Ehecatlthe Peacock throne in Korean, India, were shown and Iran. The throne of Japan is known as seated on the Chrysanthemum Throne (Figure 3). Islamic throneswere often simple, or at least free from pictured art; however, they could contain verses from the Quran. An elaborate throne in Tenochtitlan In effect, the ruler was foundintended to show himself more as a humble servant of God rather than depicted elaborately. In Islam, called the one of God's great creations is his throne of Montezuma, which where it was used for religious exalted high above in paradise. In effect, this is similar to Christian, Jewish, and royal ceremonypre-monotheistic concepts of a seated deity. The Aztec king likely sat on it However, now, human thrones had to adjust to perform his religious duties where he made contact with the earth and sunbecome more simplified, acting as the sacred guardian thrones that were too elaborate would suggest worship of both these important symbols of religious authoritya human.<ref>For more on Islam and Islamic rulers, see: Lange, C.R. (2016) <i>Paradise and hell in Islamic traditions.</i> New York, NY, Cambridge University Press.</ref>
==Later AuthorityModern Symbolism==For democratic states that have evolved out of ancient monarchies, the throne still has important meaning to government. In Japan, the Chrysanthemum Throne is described as reflecting the unity and deep history of Japan, as the monarchy in that state is the longest continuing monarchy known to us.<ref>For more on modern Japan and its throne, see: Martin, P. (1997) <i>The chrysanthemum throne: a history of the emperors of Japan.</i> Honolulu, University of Hawai’i Press.</ref> In the United Kingdom, the coronation throne, held in Westminster Abbey, looks to be a relatively simple looking chair that the monarch is crowned in. It was once decorated and gilded; however, the aged appearance is part of the symbolism, as it reflects the long continuity of the monarchy. The throne is still used as the symbol of official government power in the UK, where the Queen opens parliament while seated on an elaborate, decorated throne where she is also dressed in her royal jewelry and crown.<ref>For more on the modern throne and government in the UK, see : Lyon, A. (2003) <i> Constitutional history of the UK. </i>London ; Portland, Or, Cavendish Pub, pg. 303.</ref>
==Symbolism==In Canada, where Queen Elizabeth is still regarded as the Queen of Canada, three thrones are used in the opening of the Senate. In this case, the monarch, her consort, and the speaker sit on the thrones to begin the legislative sessions. In effect, as democratic systems have evolved out of the UK parliamentary system, the idea of a central speaker seated on a raised chair has continued. This is the case in the United States' House of Representatives, where the speaker is seated above the other representatives, symbolically represented as the leader of the legislative body. In the annual state of the union speech, the president is arranged on the front chair, while the speaker of the house is seated in the back and along with the vice-president. This derives from the idea of positioning the monarch along with his/her consort and speaker of the legislative body.<ref>For more on congressional history and its development, see: Julian E. Zelizer (ed.) (2004) <i>The American Congress: the building of democracy.</i> Boston, Houghton Mifflin.</ref>
==Summary==
Thrones have become symbols of royal power and authority but they are also important symbols for the divine and religious authority. The history of thrones shows a connection to some of the earliest written records, indicating that thrones have been a depiction of power from early history. More recently, the concept of a raised chair has continued, where government heads and leaders of legislation sit on a raised position in English speaking modern democracies, demonstrating some continuity with the idea of a raised throne.<div class="portal" style="width:85%;">==Related DailyHistory.org Articles==*[[How Did the Bed Develop as Household Furniture?]]*[[How has the Role of Horses Changed in Human Societies?]]*[[How Did Honey Evolve in our Diet?]]*[[What Factors Led to the Creation of the First Cities?]]*[[How Did Chocolate Become Popular?]]</div>{{Mediawiki:Decorative Arts}}
==References==
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[[Category:wikis]] [[Category:Decorative Arts]] [[Category:History of Furniture]]

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