167 Diadem

Museum Description: Diadem

Room: 22/Case: 7/Number: GR 1905.11-2.1

Scripture: Revelation 19:12

We might think of a diadem being like a modern crown, but we can see from this artefact it is more like a royal headband, as described in the footnote of this verse.  The Hebrew word for diadem can mean something separated, or dedicated, whereas their word for crown came from a word meaning 'surround'.  The kings of Israel are spoken of as wearing a diadem or crown, and several bands or diadems could be worn at the same time to make a grand crown, as Jesus is described as wearing in Revelation.  The Greek word is used in the Bible as a sign of kingly dignity, and obviously in the case of Jesus this comes from Jehovah as the source of true authority and power.  The 'great fiery-coloured dragon' representing Satan the Devil in Revelation, however, has a diadem upon each of its seven heads.  A diadem is also on each of the ten horns of the symbolic seven-headed wild beast.  It both cases it would represent the kingly dignity they claim, rather than any they actually possess.