Sceptre

The scepter ( Austrian or outdated and scepter, skeptron from Greek: rod; skeptein: support ) is a part of the regalia. It is a rod made ​​of precious metal, usually richly decorated with precious stones. It is the symbol of a ruler of an empire, and was originally worn by emperors and kings, and later also of the princes. The scepter may have a different crown. So pin, eagle, cross, crown, lily, monkey hand and orb are used as end mold especially in heraldry.

Symbol of power

Even in the Bible, the scepter is mentioned and there has on government and sovereign right to point ( see Psalm 45:6, 45:6 and 49:10 Moses 1 ). The scepter in the Bible differs there from the commander's staff, which a king can give as a sign of authority to someone ( for example, Psalm 60:7, 108:8 ).

On Roman coins were scepter insignia of power of gods and goddesses pictures. See Providentia.

At the coronation of the Holy Roman Emperor's scepter was carried in front of Rabsaris. Similarly, the state treasurer carried the scepter of Austria Archduchy ahead with a hereditary homage.

In the Middle Ages, the tilt of the scepter was the symbol of royal grace granted, the kissing of the same sign of subservience.

The scepter of the Empire of Austria has the particularity that it consists partly of narwhal tusk (see: Austrian imperial crown ).

In Switzerland, serve on city and cantonal levels at ceremonial occasions still scepter as a symbol of secular power. Due to the republican character of the Constitution but they are never worn by elected government officials, but always by a Weibel.

In Poland, the Berlo - one of a mace or morning star derived Insignia, which is held like a scepter - traditionally the symbol of the highest military ranks. Today it is the symbol of the Marshals of Poland.

Even the President of Ukraine receives at his inauguration next to a chain of office, the Bulava ( Булава ), which is still regarded there as an important symbol of power.

From Mace derived Office rods ( ceremonial maces ) are also in the British parliamentary system and the Anglo-American universities in use.

A special feature is France: The French king led two or three scepter with him: a man-high and two short, one of which passed into a hand as a symbol of justice ( "main de justice " ) and the other top instead of the hand of Justice wore a lily. In the times of the empires and the July Monarchy, the scepter was abolished with the Fleur de Lys. In a painting by François Gérard in 1805 a corresponding representation of Napoléon Bonaparte finds in his coronation robes.

A cobalt blue scepter is the emblem of the Royal Porcelain Manufactory Berlin; it is found on any product of this long-established workshop.

Another form are the emerging since the Middle Ages University scepter.

Kur- scepter

Catchment has held the scepter in heraldry as a common figure and as a gem. Especially as a sign of Erzkämmererwürde the Holy Roman Empire, it is already on seals of Frederick I and Frederick II evidence from 1466. This scepter is also fed into the kurbrandenburgische coat of arms and has frequent changes and coat of arms Increase in ( 1536, 1575, 1708, 1804, 1817) survived. In Brandenburg, it has become known as a spa scepter. As Prussia Kingdom was, came to the place of the scepter of imperial eagle. On the eagle breast of the Brandenburg eagle scepter The spa scepter came after many variants on different crest places until 1864. Contained in the catch of this eagle, which is since 1827 in its right claw ( wrongful ), which should always be the same on the breastplate of the eagle. Important was the office of Erbkämmerer (not ore ) in this context. It has been perceived since the 15th century after the decease of the Lords of Falkenberg of the baronial dynasty of the vineyard. Already in June 1505 to verlehnte it to the Count Eitel Friedrich von Zollern. Contracted with Kaiser consent the investiture of the office also to Elector Joachim I of Brandenburg was extended.

Historical Constellations

Historical constellations introduce the term scepter in the name:

• Fredericks scepter in memory of the recently deceased Frederick the Great

• Scepter and hand of justice honored Louis XIV of France

• The Brandenburg scepter is a little to the historical constellations in the southern sky belonging image with a right ascension of about the 65 ° and 15 ° south declination. It is west of the Orion and between the curvature of the Eridanus and has only a fourth magnitude star.

Talisman

Less the function of a sign as a rule rather that of a good-luck charm and talisman, the Chinese Ruyi scepter.

Mineralogy

Scepter is a rare crystal form, with at various times a later generation has formed on normal height (often euhedral ) crystals. They are caused by rapid growth or by abrupt cessation of growth. The second crystal is formed at a lower temperature.