Salwe ( my, စလွယ်, ) are issues for Burmese

orders Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood * Heterarchy, a system of organization wherein the elements have the potential to be ranked a number of d ...

. A ''salwe'' is a shoulder-belt formed with metal chains, normally fashioned in gold or silver, which are fastened in four places, in shields or bosses, and worn over the shoulder like an officer's sash. The Burmese monarchy used the ''salwe'' was purely secular, as it was used to recognize merit and service to the state.

Etymology and origins

The

Burmese language Burmese ( my, မြန်မာဘာသာ, MLCTS: ''mranmabhasa'', IPA: ) is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken in Myanmar (also known as Burma), where it is an official language, lingua franca, and the native language of the Burmans, the count ...

word ''salwe'' is a

corruption Corruption is a form of dishonesty or a criminal offense which is undertaken by a person or an organization which is entrusted in a position of authority, in order to acquire illicit benefits or abuse power for one's personal gain. Corruption m ...

of the Hindi term ''janeu'' (जनेऊ). '' Janeu'' (also known as ''upanayana'') in Hindi, refers to a sacred investiture or Brahminical cord found in the higher castes of Hindu society. It is of ancient Burmese origin. The ''salwe'' is referenced in the ''Salwedin Sadan'' (Book of the Order), a Burmese text that states the number of ''salwe'' cords that members of each of the four Hindu ''varna''s wore: #Rulers ('' Khattiya'') - 9 cords #Ritualists (''

Brahmana The Brahmanas (; Sanskrit: , ''Brāhmaṇam'') are Vedic śruti works attached to the Samhitas (hymns and mantras) of the Rig, Sama, Yajur, and Atharva Vedas. They are a secondary layer or classification of Sanskrit texts embedded within ea ...

'') - 6 cords #Merchants ('' Vessa'') - 1-3 cords #Commoners ('' Sudda'') - none

Usage

The number of strands or threads indicate rank in the order. The ''salwe'' was worn as a symbol of high character, to maintain the purity of character of one's family or caste. During the Konbaung Dynasty, high-ranking ministers with immunity from various forms of execution (''thetdawshay'') also wore ''salwe'' of 18 strands. The following is a list of Konbaung-era grades and corresponding number of ''salwe'' strands conferred:

Current usage

The following ''salwes'' are currently issued by the

Government of Burma Myanmar ( also known as Burma) operates ''de jure'' as a unitary assembly-independent republic under its 2008 constitution. On 1 February 2021, Myanmar's military took over the government in a coup, causing ongoing anti-coup protests. ...

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Pyidaungsu Sithu Thingaha The Order of the Union of Myanmar ( my, ပြည်ထောင်စုစည်သူသင်္ဂဟ ) is the highest civilian decoration bestowed by the government of Myanmar (also known as Burma). The order was founded on 2 September 1 ...

Thiri Thudhamma Thingaha The Thiri Thudhamma Thingaha or the Order of Thiri Thudhamma ( my, သီရိသုဓမ္မသင်္ဂဟ, ''Thirí Thúdanma Thingăhá''; , from pi, sudhamma saṅgaha) was the highest Burmese commendation during the AFPFL era. In t ...

References

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Etymology and origins

Usage

Current usage

References

See also