An enthronement is a ceremony of inauguration, involving a person--usually a monarch or a religious leader--formally sitting for the first time on a throne. The throne is seen as a symbol of authority, both secular and religious. Enthronements occur in both church and state settings.

Contents 1 Religious ceremonies 1.1 The papacy 2 State ceremonies 2.1 Belgium 2.2 Japan 2.3 Luxembourg 2.4 Malaysia 2.5 Sweden 3 See also 4 Notes 5 References

[edit] Religious ceremonies

Enthronements are most popular in religious settings, as an armchair is seen as the symbol of the authority to teach. Thus in Christianity, bishops of almost all denominations have a ceremony of enthronement after they assume office. The Roman Catholic Church has of late referred to Latin rite enthronements as episcopal "installations", but the substance of the ceremony remains the same. However, Eastern Catholic Churches, Orthodox Churches, and the Anglican Church retain the term and often have elaborate ceremonies marking the inauguration of their episcopates.

[edit] The papacy

The pope is no exception to the rule concerning episcopal enthronements. Popes were traditionally enthroned and crowned with the papal tiara in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran. However, during the Avignon papacy the papacy could not make use of its cathedra, as the Pope was in France while the cathedral was in Rome. Thus the coronations continued, while the enthronements had to wait until the Pontiff's return to Rome. Upon the return of Pope Gregory XI to Rome, the Lateran Palace was badly in need of repair, so the Pope made the Vatican his residence and transferred coronations to Saint Peter's Basilica. However, the Lateran Basilica continued to serve as the cathedral of Rome, so enthronements continued there, with brief interruptions (see prisoner in the Vatican).

Although the coronation ceremony was replaced with the inauguration of Popes John Paul I and John Paul II in 1978, the enthronements continued with the enthronement of Pope Benedict XVI occurring on May 7, 2005.

[edit] State ceremonies

Previously, most monarchial investiture ceremonies were not enthronements but coronations, where the ruler was crowned, since in most cases the monarch already sat on the throne at his or her accession. Now that coronations have fallen out of favor in most countries, enthronement is used instead since the throne of the monarch remains. While no Norwegian monarch has been crowned in nearly a century, the modern ceremony used to inaugurate their reign is often referred to as an enthronement, as is the formal inauguration ceremony of monarchs of Japan,^[1] Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands.

[edit] Belgium

Belgium has no crown (except as a heraldic emblem); the monarch's formal installation requires only a solemn oath on the constitution in parliament, symbolic of the limited power allowed to the king under the 1831 Constitution. During the enthronements of Baudouin and Albert II, one legislator cried "long live the Republic of Europe", only to be shouted down by the others, who cried "Vive le Roi", with the entire chamber rising to applaud the king.

[edit] Japan

The Emperor of Japan attends an enthronement ceremony soon after his accession; the last such ritual was held in 1990 for the current sovereign, Akihito. The Imperial Regalia consists of a sword, known as Kusanagi, a jewel, known as Yasakani no magatama, and a mirror, called Yata no Kagami. Unlike most other monarchies, Japan has no crown for its ruler.

This ancient rite is held in Kyoto, the former capital of Japan. The ceremony is not public, and the regalia itself is generally seen only by the emperor himself and a few Shinto priests. However, an account in Time magazine from the enthronement of Akihito's father Hirohito in 1928 reveals a few details. First came a three-hour ceremony in which the emperor ritually informed his ancestors that he had assumed the throne. This was followed by the enthronement itself, which took place in an enclosure called the Takamikura, which contained a great square pedestal upholding three octagonal pedestals topped by a simple chair. This was surrounded by an octagonal pavilion with curtains, surmounted by a great golden Phoenix.^[2]

The new emperor proceeded to the chair, where after being seated, the Kusangi and Yasakain no magatama were placed on stands next to him. A simple wooden sceptre was presented to the monarch, who faced his Prime Minister standing in an adjacent courtyard, representing the Japanese people. The emperor offered an address announcing his accession to the throne, calling upon his subjects to single-mindedly assist him in attaining all of his aspirations. His Prime Minister replied with an address promising fidelity and devotion, followed by three shouts of "Banzai" from all of those present. The timing of this last event was synchronized, so that Japanese around the world could join in the "Banzai" shout at precisely the moment that it was being offered in Kyoto.^[2]

During the days after this ceremony, the new Emperor worshipped the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu, offering her sacred boiled rice specially grown and prepared for the occasion. This was followed by three banquets and a visit to the Shrines of his Imperial Ancestors.^[2]

[edit] Luxembourg

The Grand Duke of Luxembourg is enthroned at a ceremony held in the nation's parliament at the beginning of his or her reign. The monarch takes an oath of loyalty to the state constitution, then attends a solemn mass at the Notre-Dame Cathedral. No crown or other regalia exists for the rulers of Europe's last sovereign Grand Duchy.

[edit] Malaysia

The new ruler of Malaysia is enthroned in a special ceremony after his election, which involves usage of several items of regalia including the Tengkolok Diraja, or Royal Headdress—as opposed to a crown. According to legend, the first Sultan of Perak swore off the wearing of any diadems after the miraculous refloating of his ship, which had run aground during his journey to establish his reign in Perak. Hence, while Malaysian coronations are rather elaborate affairs, they do not involve the imposition of a crown. Instead, a special headdress is worn by the new king.

The new king proceeds into the Istana Negara Throne Hall at the head of a large procession also consisting of his spouse, specially-picked soldiers carrying the royal regalia, and other notables including the Grand Chamberlain, or Datuk Paduka Maharaja Lela. The king and his wife are seated upon their thrones, and the regalia are brought forward. Following this, the Datuk Paduka Maharaja Lela brings forward a copy of the Quran, which the new monarch revrently receives, kisses, and places on a special table located between his throne and the queen's. A formal proclamation of the new king's reign is read, followed by the taking of a special coronation oath. The Prime Minister gives a special speech, which is followed by an address by the new king from the throne. A prayer is said, the Quran as returned to the Chamberlain, and the ceremony is completed.^[3]

[edit] Sweden

In Sweden, no king has been crowned since Oscar II in 1873. The current monarch, Carl XVI Gustaf, was enthroned in a simple ceremony at the throne room of the Royal Palace in Stockholm on 19 September 1973. The crown jewels were displayed on cushions to the right and left of the royal throne, but were never given to the king. Carl Gustaf made an accession speech, which comprised the main purpose of the undertaking.^[4]

[edit] See also

• Coronation
• Throne of England and The Crown
• Dragon Throne of the Emperors of China
• Chrysanthemum Throne of the Emperors of Japan
• Phoenix Throne of the Kings of Korea
• Lion Throne of the Dalai Lama of Tibet
• Peacock Throne of the Mughal Empire
• Peacock Throne of the Persian Empire

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

• Ponsonby-Fane, Richard Arthur Brabazon. (1959). The Imperial House of Japan. Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society. OCLC 194887