Fashion
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is a Diadem?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A diadem is an ornamental headdress that is designed to indicate royalty, high standing, or dignity. It has evolved significantly since it was first used among the Persians, and museums that specialize in items from classical antiquity often have a very interesting collection of depictions of these headdresses that illustrate the history of this noble headgear. While the diadem continues to be associated with royalty today, it is also possible to see ones on the heads of those who are definitely not associated with royalty, worn as decorative accents.

The word comes from the Greek diadein, which means “to bind around.” The earliest versions were bands of white fabric that were wrapped around the head and tied, classically with the ends trailing over the shoulders. Only royalty were entitled to wear them, and so they came to be viewed as a symbol of royalty. Over time, various cultures in the Mediterranean devised their own versions, with ornamental additions like multicolored cords or stylized representations of various cultural symbols, such as the asp in Egypt.

A diadem indicates royalty or dignity.
A diadem indicates royalty or dignity.

In Greece, they began to take the form of wreaths, with the royal dead especially wearing golden wreaths in their tombs. Their use in turn gave way to the use of a golden band, and not long after that, people started adding precious jewels, and a form of the crown began to emerge. While this headdress is technically a circlet, rather than an upright crown, it was clearly the inspiration for the crown, and the modern half-crown known as a tiara is sometimes referred to as a diadem in a reference to this.

A gold diadem.
A gold diadem.

Many depictions of diadems can be seen in works of art from Greek and Roman times. In addition to appearing on the heads of rulers, they were also granted to members of the nobility, and some people took them for themselves as they conquered new lands and peoples.

The distinct image of the diadem is very evocative for some people, which may explain why it shows up in poetry on a regular basis. Royalty around the world continue to wear forms of the headdress, especially at formal events, and some monarchs seem to prefer them over more ornate (and heavy) upright crowns. Female monarchs in particular may choose to wear them exclusively.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

lighth0se33

I've seen photos of a gold diadem from ancient Biblical times. It looks as good as new, which is amazing to me.

The gold shines brightly, and the intricate detail is still intact. What appears to be little charms are hanging on gold colored cords from the majestic circlet.

seag47

Diadems were part of a set of royal jewels back in the day called a parure. This set would include several items, like a necklace, earrings, a comb, and a diadem.

They would all contain the same type of jewels. Usually, two kinds of precious stones were mixed, and a diamond was often one of these. I've heard of some famous emerald and diamond diadems in the series of crown jewels that make up a parure.

cloudel

@giddion – I've always heard that a tiara only goes part of the way around your head, so it is just a semi-circle. A diadem makes a full circle.

I really don't know if one is more formal than the other, though. I've heard the two terms used interchangeably often.

If I were to pick one to be more formal, I would go with the diadem. It looks more like a royal crown than a tiara, which to me is just a fancy, bejeweled headband.

giddion

What is the difference between a tiara and a diadem? My friend has some sort of little crown that is part of a Halloween costume, and she keeps calling it a golden diadem. To me, the informal term “tiara” seems more appropriate.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • A diadem indicates royalty or dignity.
      By: Andrey Kuzmin
      A diadem indicates royalty or dignity.
    • A gold diadem.
      By: Elnur
      A gold diadem.
    • The diadems of ancient Egyptian rulers incorporated asp imagery.
      By: Tatty
      The diadems of ancient Egyptian rulers incorporated asp imagery.