Diadem

A tiara (from Greek diadema " diadem " ) was used in ancient times as narrow frontlet to hold the hair ( head bandages ). From the front fascia, which was worn after a victory, the laurel wreath, which was made of metal later developed. The original shape of the textile tiara bands has received the prelates in the miter and tiara.

Etymology

The word is borrowed from the Latin or Greek diadema. This is derived from the Greek dia - your " put on " and thus means literally " Umgebundenes ". There is also a relationship with the word demos ( band). Busy is the word diadema first time in Xenophon in his account of the Persian Königsornates (see below).

Bacchus

The Bacchic Diadem ( Kredemnon ) consisted of a multiply folded napkin, the forehead and temples surrounded and was tied behind the head.

Persian

Among the Persians the diadem was wrapped around the tiara or the turban, and typically in blue and white by acts held.

Greeks

Some gods of the Greeks are shown adorned with a diadem, especially Zeus and Hera. The Greek women and young men - especially the Olympic winners - in ancient times wore a bandage in her hair. The binding was in the Hellenistic period the badge of dignity ruler ( king binding ).

Roman Empire

In the Roman Empire the diadem came on later. The first emperor preferring to wear a tiara, so as not to irritate the people. Only with Diocletian was the custom on again. Under the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great ( sole ruler from 324 AD), the foundation stone was laid for the development of the crown, which was composed at the beginning as a frontlet of a number of equally wide metal plates. In the 6th century under the Emperor Justinian they were provided with headband.

Modern time

His heyday saw the diadem as a headdress of the ladies in the time of monarchies. At the present time the diadem has lost meaning. Gladly it is worn by young girls who want to decorate especially. Occasionally, it is also worn at weddings by the bride as jewelry. Mainly found the diadem nor appeal in Muslim populations as a pure piece of jewelry. A real boom reached the diadem in the carnival time. Almost every Carnival Princess in the Rhine area wearing a tiara today.