A throne is the seat of state of a potentate or

dignitary {{Short pages monitor. The throne of the

Ryukyu Kingdom The Ryukyu Kingdom was a kingdom in the Ryukyu Islands from 1429 to 1879. It was ruled as a Tributary system of China, tributary state of Ming dynasty, imperial Ming China by the King of Ryukyu, Ryukyuan monarchy, who unified Okinawa Island t ...

is located in

Shuri Castle is a Ryukyu Islands, Ryukyuan ''gusuku'' castle in Shuri, Okinawa, Shuri, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Between 1429 and 1879, it was the palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom, before becoming largely neglected. In 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa, it was ...

, Naha.

Modern period

During the

Russian Empire The Russian Empire was an empire that spanned most of northern Eurasia from its establishment in November 1721 until the proclamation of the Russian Republic in September 1917. At its height in the late 19th century, it covered about , roughl ...

, the throne in St. George's Hall (the "Greater Throne Room") in the

Winter Palace The Winter Palace is a palace in Saint Petersburg that served as the official residence of the House of Romanov, previous emperors, from 1732 to 1917. The palace and its precincts now house the Hermitage Museum. The floor area is 233,345 square ...

was regarded as ''the'' throne of Russia. It sits atop a seven-stepped

dais A dais or daïs ( or , American English also but sometimes considered nonstandard)dais
in the Random House Dictionary< ...

with a

proscenium arch A proscenium (, ) is the virtual vertical plane of space in a theatre, usually surrounded on the top and sides by a physical proscenium arch (whether or not truly "arched") and on the bottom by the stage floor itself, which serves as the frame ...

above and the symbol of the imperial family behind (the

two-headed eagle The double-headed eagle is an iconographic symbol originating in the Bronze Age. The earliest predecessors of the symbol can be found in Mycenaean Greece and in the Ancient Near East, especially in Mesopotamian and Hittite iconography. Most mo ...

). Peter I's Room (the "Smaller Throne Room") is modest in comparison to the former. The throne was made for

Empress The word ''emperor'' (from , via ) can mean the male ruler of an empire. ''Empress'', the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife (empress consort), mother/grandmother (empress dowager/grand empress dowager), or a woman who rules ...

Anna Ivanovna Anna Ioannovna (; ), also russified as Anna Ivanovna and sometimes anglicized as Anne, served as regent of the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia from 1711 until 1730 and then ruled as Empress of Russia from 1730 to 1740. Much of her administration ...

in London. There is also a throne in the Grand Throne Room of the

Peterhof Palace The Peterhof Palace ( rus, Петерго́ф, Petergóf, p=pʲɪtʲɪrˈɡof; an emulation of German "Peterhof", meaning "Peter's Court") is a series of palaces and gardens located in Petergof, Saint Petersburg, Russia, commissioned by Peter th ...

. In some countries with a monarchy, thrones are still used and have important symbolic and ceremonial meaning. Among the most famous thrones still in usage are St Edward's Chair, on which the

British monarch The monarchy of the United Kingdom, commonly referred to as the British monarchy, is the form of government used by the United Kingdom by which a hereditary monarch reigns as the head of state, with their powers regulated by the British con ...

is crowned, and the thrones used by monarchs during the state opening of parliaments in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

, the

Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

, and

Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...

(see above) among others. Some republics use distinctive throne-like chairs in some state ceremonial. The

president of Ireland The president of Ireland () is the head of state of Republic of Ireland, Ireland and the supreme commander of the Defence Forces (Ireland), Irish Defence Forces. The presidency is a predominantly figurehead, ceremonial institution, serving as ...

sits on a former

viceregal A viceroy () is an official who reigns over a polity in the name of and as the representative of the monarch of the territory. The term derives from the Latin prefix ''vice-'', meaning "in the place of" and the Anglo-Norman ''roy'' (Old Frenc ...

throne during his or her

inauguration In government and politics, inauguration is the process of swearing a person into office and thus making that person the incumbent. Such an inauguration commonly occurs through a formal ceremony or special event, which may also include an inau ...

ceremony, while

lords mayor Lord mayor is a title of a mayor of what is usually a major city in a Commonwealth realm, with special recognition bestowed by the sovereign. However, the title or an equivalent is present in other countries, including forms such as "high mayor". A ...

and lords provost of many

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. * British national identity, the characteristics of British people and culture ...

and Irish cities often preside over local councils from throne-like chairs. Owing to its symbolic nature, a toilet is often jokingly referred to as "a throne" (namely, the "porcelain throne").

List

Africa

* Golden Throne of

pharaoh Pharaoh (, ; Egyptian language, Egyptian: ''wikt:pr ꜥꜣ, pr ꜥꜣ''; Meroitic language, Meroitic: 𐦲𐦤𐦧, ; Biblical Hebrew: ''Parʿō'') was the title of the monarch of ancient Egypt from the First Dynasty of Egypt, First Dynasty ( ...

Tutankhamun Tutankhamun or Tutankhamen, (; ), was an Egyptian pharaoh who ruled during the late Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt, Eighteenth Dynasty of ancient Egypt. Born Tutankhaten, he instituted the restoration of the traditional polytheistic form of an ...

Golden Stool The Golden Stool ( Ashanti-; full title, Sika Dwa Kofi "the Golden Stool born on a Friday") is the royal and divine throne of kings of the Asante people and the ultimate symbol of power in Asante. According to legend, Okomfo Anokye, High Priest ...

of the

Ashanti Empire The Asante Empire ( Asante Twi: ), also known as the Ashanti Empire, was an Akan state that lasted from 1701 to 1901, in what is now modern-day Ghana. It expanded from the Ashanti Region to include most of Ghana and also parts of Ivory Coast ...

* Throne of David of the

Emperor The word ''emperor'' (from , via ) can mean the male ruler of an empire. ''Empress'', the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife (empress consort), mother/grandmother (empress dowager/grand empress dowager), or a woman who rules ...

s of

Ethiopia Ethiopia, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a landlocked country located in the Horn of Africa region of East Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the north, Djibouti to the northeast, Somalia to the east, Ken ...

* Chieftaincy Stools of

Nigeria Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It covers an area of . With Demographics of Nigeria, ...

Asia

Dragon Throne The Dragon Throne () was the throne of the Emperor of China. As the dragon was the emblem of divine imperial power, the throne of the Emperor was known as the Dragon Throne. The term can refer to very specific seating, as in the special seating i ...

of the

Emperors The word ''emperor'' (from , via ) can mean the male ruler of an empire. ''Empress'', the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife ( empress consort), mother/grandmother (empress dowager/ grand empress dowager), or a woman who rule ...

China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...

* Golden Throne of the

Vietnam Vietnam, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV), is a country at the eastern edge of mainland Southeast Asia, with an area of about and a population of over 100 million, making it the world's List of countries and depende ...

Chrysanthemum Throne The is the throne of the Emperor of Japan. The term also can refer to very specific seating, such as the throne in the Shishin-den at Kyoto Imperial Palace. Various other thrones or seats that are used by the Emperor during official functions ...

of the

( :ja:高御座) *

Phoenix Throne The Phoenix Throne () is the term used to identify the throne of the hereditary monarchs of Korea. In an abstract sense, the Phoenix Throne also refers rhetorically to the head of state of the Joseon dynasty (1392–1897) and the Empire of Kor ...

of the

King King is a royal title given to a male monarch. A king is an Absolute monarchy, absolute monarch if he holds unrestricted Government, governmental power or exercises full sovereignty over a nation. Conversely, he is a Constitutional monarchy, ...

s of

Korea Korea is a peninsular region in East Asia consisting of the Korean Peninsula, Jeju Island, and smaller islands. Since the end of World War II in 1945, it has been politically Division of Korea, divided at or near the 38th parallel north, 3 ...

* The

Throne of Solomon The Throne of Solomon is the throne of King Solomon in the Hebrew Bible, and is a motif in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The throne as Solomon's seat of state is described in 1 Kings 10: Hebrew Bible The term "throne" is used both litera ...

Lion Throne The Lion Throne is the English term used to identify the throne of the Dalai Lama of Tibet. It specifically refers to the throne historically used by Dalai Lamas at Potala Palace in Lhasa. See also * List of Dalai Lamas * Tibetan independence ...

of the

Dalai Lama The Dalai Lama (, ; ) is the head of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. The term is part of the full title "Holiness Knowing Everything Vajradhara Dalai Lama" (圣识一切瓦齐尔达喇达赖喇嘛) given by Altan Khan, the first Shu ...

Tibet Tibet (; ''Böd''; ), or Greater Tibet, is a region in the western part of East Asia, covering much of the Tibetan Plateau and spanning about . It is the homeland of the Tibetan people. Also resident on the plateau are other ethnic groups s ...

* Lion Throne of

Sikkim Sikkim ( ; ) is a States and union territories of India, state in northeastern India. It borders the Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the north and northeast, Bhutan in the east, Koshi Province of Nepal in the west, and West Bengal in the ...

Konbaung The Konbaung dynasty (), also known as the Third Burmese Empire (တတိယမြန်မာနိုင်ငံတော်), was the last dynasty that ruled Burma from 1752 to 1885. It created the second-largest empire in history of Mya ...

of Burma, (

Myanmar Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and has ...

) * Lotus Throne of Konbaung of Burma * Bumblebee Throne of Konbaung of Burma *

Hamsa The ''hamsa'' (, referring to images of 'the five fingers of the hand'),Zenner, 1988p. 284World Institute for Advanced Phenomenological Research and Learning (Belmont, Estados Unidos), 1991p. 219Drazin, 2009p. 268 also known as the hand of Fa ...

Throne of Konbaung of Burma * Deer Throne of Konbaung of Burma * Elephant Throne of Konbaung of Burma * Conch Throne of Konbaung of Burma * Stone throne of King Kasyapa from

Sri Lanka Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, also known historically as Ceylon, is an island country in South Asia. It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, separated from the Indian subcontinent, ...

from the 5th century citadel of

Sigiri Sigiriya or Sinhagiri (''Lion Rock'' , , pronounced SEE-gi-ri-yə) is an ancient rock fortress located in the northern Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka, Central Province, Sri Lanka. It is a site of h ...

* Stone throne of King Nissankamalla from

from the 12th century

Polonnaruwa Poḷonnaruwa, (; ) also referred as Pulathisipura and Vijayarajapura in History of Sri Lanka, ancient times, is the main town of Polonnaruwa District in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The modern town of Polonnaruwa is also known as New Town, ...

kingdom * Kandian Throne of the

Kingdom of Kandy The Kingdom of Kandy was a monarchy on the Sri Lanka, island of Sri Lanka, located in the central and eastern portion of the island. It was founded in the late 15th century and endured until the early 19th century. Initially a client kingdom ...

and the

Dominion of Ceylon Ceylons:Sri Lanka Independence Act 1947, The Sri Lanka Independence Act 1947 uses the name "Ceylon" for the new dominion; nowhere does that Act use the term "Dominion of Ceylon", which although sometimes used was not the official name. was an ...

Peacock Throne The Peacock Throne ( Hindustani: ''Mayūrāsana'', Sanskrit: मयूरासन, Urdu: تخت طاؤس, , ''Takht-i Tāvūs'') was the imperial throne of Hindustan. The throne is named after the dancing peacocks at its rear and was the seat ...

of the

Mughal Mughal or Moghul may refer to: Related to the Mughal Empire * Mughal Empire of South Asia between the 16th and 19th centuries * Mughal dynasty * Mughal emperors * Mughal people, a social group of Central and South Asia * Mughal architecture * Mug ...

s of India *

Sun Throne The Sun Throne () also known as the Peacock Throne () is an Imperial throne of Iran. A radiant sun disk on its headboard and a consort of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar give the throne each of its names respectively. The throne has the shape of a platform ...

of Persia/Iran * Marble Throne and

of the

Persian Persian may refer to: * People and things from Iran, historically called ''Persia'' in the English language ** Persians, the majority ethnic group in Iran, not to be conflated with the Iranic peoples ** Persian language, an Iranian language of the ...

Shah Shāh (; ) is a royal title meaning "king" in the Persian language.Yarshater, Ehsa, ''Iranian Studies'', vol. XXII, no. 1 (1989) Though chiefly associated with the monarchs of Iran, it was also used to refer to the leaders of numerous Per ...

s * Peacock Throne of

* Peacock Throne at Montchobo, then at

Ava Ava or AVA may refer to: Places Asia and Oceania * Ava Kingdom, in upper Burma from 1364 to 1555 ** Inwa, formerly Ava, the capital of Ava Kingdom ** Earl of Ava, a British colonial earldom in Burma * Ava, Iran, Gilan Province, a village * Iva ...

, ancient capitals of

Burma Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and ha ...

* Saridhaleys "ivory throne" and the Sighsana "lion throne" of the

Maldives The Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, and historically known as the Maldive Islands, is an Archipelagic state, archipelagic country in South Asia located in the Indian Ocean. The Maldives is southwest of Sri Lanka and India, abou ...

sultanate * Sandalwood throne at

Bikaner Bikaner () is a city in the northwest of the States and territories of India, state of Rajasthan, India. It is located northwest of the state capital, Jaipur. It is the administrative headquarters of Bikaner District and Bikaner division. Fo ...

Fort *

Maharaja Ranjit Singh's throne Maharaja Ranjit Singh's throne is an octagonal ceremonial throne crafted by the goldsmith Hafiz Muhammad Multani, likely between 1805 and 1810 in Lahore, for the eponymous ruler of the Sikh Empire, Ranjit Singh (r. 1801-1839) following the Sikh c ...

* Shivaji's Golden Throne (Suvarna Sinhasan) * Tupou Throne of the Kingdom of Tonga (Polynesian island country) * Golden Throne in Mysore India

Europe

* Throne of Apollo in

Amyclae Amyclae or Amyklai () was a city of ancient Laconia, situated on the right or western bank of the Eurotas, 20 stadia south of Sparta, in a district remarkable for the abundance of its trees and its fertility. Amyclae was one of the most celebr ...

* The

(and queen consort if applicable) is enthroned in a Throne Chair at their Coronation of the British monarch, coronation. (Note: St. Edward's Chair in Westminster Abbey is not generally considered to be a throne.) * Chairing of the Bard in Wales is an ancient ceremonial procedure which dates back to at least 1176, in which the winning poet is chaired Prifardd, Y Prifardd (The Chief Bard) at the Eisteddfod, National Eisteddfod * Chair of St Augustine in Canterbury Cathedral, where Archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishops of Canterbury are inaugurated * Aachen Throne, Throne of Charlemagne in the Aachen Cathedral, cathedral at Aachen, Germany * Imperial Throne of Goslar, Imperial Throne of the medieval German kings and emperors in Goslar, Germany. * Throne of the King of Aragon, Valencia, Majorca, Sardinia, Corsica and Sicilia and Count of Barcelona Martin of Aragon, Martin I the Elder * Regalia of the Russian tsars#The Ivory Throne, Ivory Throne of Ivan the Terrible * papal Chair of Saint Peter and ''

sedia gestatoria The ''sedia gestatoria'' (, literally 'chair for carrying') or gestatorial chair is a ceremonial throne on which popes were carried on shoulders until 1978, which was later replaced outdoors in part with the popemobile. It consists of a richly a ...

'' * Throne Chair of Denmark, made of narwhal tusks.
By Wilhelm Bendz (1830) * Silver Throne in Stockholm Palace, Sweden, on which Swedish monarchs were crowned * Queen Lovisa Ulrikas throne at Stockholm Palace, Sweden

North America

* Thrones of Canada for the Monarchy of Canada, Canadian monarch and his or her List of Canadian monarchs#Consorts, royal consort or the Governor General of Canada, governor general, representing the monarch, and his or her viceregal consort.

Gallery

Africa

File:Golden stool 31 January 1935.jpg, The Assante

on its throne, the ''hwedom dwa'' (1935) File:Musée national d'Ethiopie-Trône de Hailé Sélassié.jpg, Throne of emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia File:Throne Room - Bardo Palace - Tunis - Tunisia - 1899.jpg, Throne of the bey of Tunis, Bardo Palace

Asia-Pacific

File:Gran Palacio, Bangkok, Tailandia, 2013-08-22, DD 57 (Cropped).jpg, Throne of Thailand in the Grand Palace File:Royal Throne of Tonga, 1900.jpg, Throne of Tonga File:Lion throne, Mandalay Palace.jpg, Lion throne, Mandalay Palace File:Lily Throne, Mandalay Palace.jpg, Lily Throne, Mandalay Palace File:Saya Chone's "Royal Audience".png, Painting of a royal audience in Burma File:Singgasana Sultan dan Permaisuri Tidore.jpg, Lion Throne of the Sultan of Tidore File:Forbiddencitythroneroom01.jpg, Throne of Ming dynasty, Ming and Qing dynasty, Qing emperors,

Forbidden City The Forbidden City () is the Chinese Empire, imperial Chinese palace, palace complex in the center of the Imperial City, Beijing, Imperial City in Beijing, China. It was the residence of 24 Ming dynasty, Ming and Qing dynasty, Qing dynasty L ...

File:The Throne of Kandyan Kings.jpg, Throne of Kandyan Sinhalese people, Sinhalese Monarchs. File:Chowmahalla Palace (22737529483).jpg, Throne of the Nizam, Chowmahalla Palace File:Naderi throne.jpg, Naderi Throne of

Persia Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and also known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. It borders Iraq to the west, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the northwest, the Caspian Sea to the north, Turkmenistan to the nort ...

, Iranian Crown Jewels, Crown Jewels Museum, Tehran File:1892 throne of Fath Ali Shah Teheran.png,

, Tehran File:Ivane marmar (16).JPG, Marble Throne of

, Golestan Palace, Tehran File:Imperial Throne of Shishinden in Kyoto Imperial Palace.jpg, Imperial throne used for the Enthronement of the Japanese Emperor File:Seoul Gyeongbokgung Throne.jpg, The

of the King of Joseon in Gyeongbokgung, South Korea File:Iolani Palace Throne Room (20029570929).jpg, Throne of Hawaii, Iolani Palace

Europe

File:Celebración de la Pascua Militar 2019 06.jpg, King Felipe VI giving a speech in front of the thrones of the king and queen of Spain, Madrid File:Troonrede 2015 8.jpg, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands giving a speech from the throne in the Ridderzaal File:Serment de Philippe de Belgique.jpg, King Philippe I of Belgium seated on the throne inside the Palace of the Nation during his swearing-in ceremony File:Coronation Chair Denmark (King).jpg, The Danish throne made out of ivory narwhal tusks File:San Marino tron kapitanow regentow.jpg, Throne of the Captains-Regent of San Marino, inside the basilica di San Marino File:Paris Musée Cluny Trône de Dagobert 135.jpg, French Throne of Dagobert, dating to the 7th century File:SanktEdvardsstol westminster.jpg, King Edward's Chair, Westminster Abbey, England File:Vojvodski stol.jpg, Duke's Chair of Carantania File:Throne of Franz Joseph I of Austria 01.jpg, Throne of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria File:Thronsaal, Residenz München.jpg, Throne of the Bavarian King, Munich File:Dublin Castle Throne Room 2018.jpg, Irish Viceregal Throne, Dublin Castle File:Palácio Nacional da Ajuda, throne room-1.JPG, Thrones of Portugal, Ajuda Palace File:Zamek Królewski w Warszawie - 05.jpg, Throne of King Stanisław August Poniatowski, Royal Castle, Warsaw File:Vilnius Valdovu rumai Innen Thron 1.jpg, Throne Room, Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania File:Vladislav Saal - Thron.jpg, Throne of Bohemia, Prague Castle File:Kis Tronterem.jpg, Throne Room, Buda Castle File:Gau Peter the Great (Small Throne) Room 1863.jpg, Imperial throne of Peter I The Great File:SanGiovanniChiostro2.JPG, Throne of the pope, Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, Rome File:Roma-san giovanni03.jpg, Throne of the pope, Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, Rome File:Honorius3.JPG, Throne of Pope Honorius III File:Pintoricchio 015.jpg, Throne of Pope Pius II (Enea Silvio Piccolomini) File:Canterburycathedralthrone.jpg, The Chair of St Augustine in Canterbury Cathedral, England

South America

File:D. Pedro II e o Trono do senado imperial (5317371367).jpg, Throne of the List of monarchs of Brazil, Emperor of Brazil inside the Senate

Other uses

* In music, the stool used to sit behind a drum kit is often called a throne. * In religion, a niche in an altar piece for displaying the Sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church, Holy Sacrament is called a throne. * In slang, a common sit-down toilet is also called a throne, or more formally the 'porcelain throne'. * One of the Angel choirs is an order called

Ophanim The ophanim ( , ; singular: ), alternatively spelled auphanim or ofanim, and also called galgalim ( , ; singular: ), refer to the wheels seen in Ezekiel's vision of the chariot (Hebrew ) in . One of the Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q405) construes them ...

or 'Thrones', said to carry God's heavenly throne — other choir names expressing power in secular terms include Powers, Principalities, Dominions.

Modern period

List

Africa

Asia

Europe

North America

Gallery

Africa

Asia-Pacific

Europe

South America

See also

Other uses

Sources and references

Further reading