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A crown is a symbolic form of headgear worn by a monarch or by a god, for whom the crown is traditionally one of the symbols of legitimacy (See Regalia for a broader treatment). In Byzantine and European cultures, where ecclesiastical sanction authenticates monarchic power, when a new monarch assumes the throne in a coronation ceremony, the crown is placed on the new monarch's head by a religious official. Some, though not all early Holy Roman Emperors travelled to Rome at some point in their careers to be crowned by the pope. Napoleon surprised Pius VII when he reached out and crowned himself, a heretical coup.
Today, only the British Monarchy continues this tradition as the sole remaining anointed monarch, and most other monarchies of the world no longer have an actual, physical crown that is used as a politicial symbol.
Similar headgear, worn by nobility and other high ranking people below the ruler, is the coronet.
Special headgear to designate rulers dates back to pre-history, and is found in many separate civilizations around the globe. Commonly rare and precious materials are incorporated into the crown. Gold and precious jewels are common in crowns. In the Native American civilizations of the Pre-Columbian New WorldThe New World is one of the names used for the continents of North and South America and adjacent islands collectively, in use since the 16th century. The continents were new to the Europeans, who knew the world consisting only of Europe, Asia, and Africa, rare featherA feather is one of the epidermal growths that forms the distinctive outer covering, or plumage on a bird. They are the outstanding character that distinguishes the Class Aves from all others. Animal origins Feathers are the most complicated integumentarys, such as that of the quetzalThis entry is about the bird called Quetzal . For the Guatemalan currency, see Quetzal (currency). For the file format, see Quetzal file format. P. antisianus ''P. auriceps ''P. fulgidus ''P. mocinno ''P. pavoninus Ref: The Resplendent Quetzal Pharomachru, often decorated crowns.
In Classical antiquityThis article describes the ancient classical period: for the classical period in music (second half of the 18th century): see Classical music era. Classical antiquity is a broad and perhaps misleading term for a long period of European history, that begin the crown (corona) that was sometimes awarded to people other than rulers, such as triumphal militaryMilitary (from latin militarius miles "soldier") as an adjective describes anything related to soldiers and warfare. Used as a noun, it is equivalent to Armed force. See also Armed force Martial art Militaria Military history Military rule Military by cou generalGeneral is a military rank, in most nations the highest rank, although some nations have the higher rank of Field Marshal. The title is used by land and sometimes air forces. In the navies of the world, the equivalent rank is Admiral. Its equivalent ranks or athleteIn the most common meaning, athlete is a person possessing above average physical skills ( strength, agility, and endurance) and thus seen suitable for physical activities, in particular, contests. An ancient Greek word for "contest" was athlos and thoses, was actually a wreathA wreath is a ring made of flowers, leaves, and sometimes fruits, used as an ornament, hanging on a wall or door, or resting on a table. A wreath woven with flowers is used as a garment in some zones of Polynesia around the head, as a diadem; sometimes re or chaplet, or ribbonlike diadem.