History of The Symbols
The Crown, as a symbol of power, can be found in the Romanian territories since the times of the Romanian rulers (Romanian: Domnitor), as main insignia of the supreme power. The crowns described in different representations, that can be seen in present times (such as paintings, portrayals, sculptures), are not real, this being the reason why the shapes of the crowns of such a wide variety. The crown had the role of symbolizing the sovereignty.
On the paintings made with the occasions of the numerous foundations, on some coins or tomb stones, the Wallachian and Moldavian Domnitori (Rulers) are represented (almost always) wearing a golden crown. This crown is usually an open princiary crown, formed by three or five ornaments shaped as flowers or leaves (Romanian: fleuroane). in the 14th and 15th centuries, the crowns of the Romanian Domnitor are similar to the heraldic crowns, in the latter centuries becoming bigger and more decorated. In the Phanariote period, the Phanariotes are rarely represented with a crown on the head, being sculpted or portrayed at the "crowning ceremony" (Romanian: ceremonia înscăunării - meaning the ceremonial of sitting on the Throne) with the Janissary headgear or with a special hat, of Turkish origin (Turkish: işlic; Romanian: işlic) at other solemn occasions. In the 19th century representations the crown is laid on a pillow or table in the proximity of the ruler's image.
Other signs of power are the mace and the sword. This symbols can be found on the coins, seals, coat of arms and standards of that time. The mace and the sword or shamshir where the main princiary symbols until Alexandru Ioan Cuza. in some cases the Rulers are depicted with other symbols, different than the mace and sword. Dimitrie Cantemir is one of them, being depicted with a short baton, similar to the Marshal's baton.
The first representation of a Romanian Domnitor with the symbols of authority appears on the coins of Mircea the Elder. He was represented wearing an open princiary crown, and dressed with a mantle (long up to the ankles) with ermine collar. In the right hand the Domnitor had a mace (sometimes a sword), and in the left hand a globus cruciger. The Rulers that followed him, both Wallachians and Moldavians, wore a similar mantle, called in Romanian: caftan. The Phanariotes wore a mantle called in Romanian: cabaniţa ienicerilor. The Romanian Rulers from the 19th century reintroduce the mantle as symbol of authority, but unlike the Mircea the Elder's ceremonial dress, these had a long tail.
The cyphers used by the Domnitori where formed by their initials. The signs where printed on small seals and on other objects. After 1834, the cyphers appear mostly on the flags (the battle/war flags).
Read more about this topic: Symbols Of Romanian Royalty
Famous quotes containing the words history of the, history of, history and/or symbols:
“The history of the genesis or the old mythology repeats itself in the experience of every child. He too is a demon or god thrown into a particular chaos, where he strives ever to lead things from disorder into order.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“I believe that in the history of art and of thought there has always been at every living moment of culture a “will to renewal.” This is not the prerogative of the last decade only. All history is nothing but a succession of “crises”Mof rupture, repudiation and resistance.... When there is no “crisis,” there is stagnation, petrification and death. All thought, all art is aggressive.”
—Eugène Ionesco (b. 1912)
“Modern Western thought will pass into history and be incorporated in it, will have its influence and its place, just as our body will pass into the composition of grass, of sheep, of cutlets, and of men. We do not like that kind of immortality, but what is to be done about it?”
—Alexander Herzen (1812–1870)
“The twentieth-century artist who uses symbols is alienated because the system of symbols is a private one. After you have dealt with the symbols you are still private, you are still lonely, because you are not sure anyone will understand it except yourself. The ransom of privacy is that you are alone.”
—Louise Bourgeois (b. 1911)