What is that ball that kings and queens hold in the hand opposite the one in which they hold their scepters?

Question

What is that ball that kings and queens hold in the hand opposite the one in which they hold their scepters?

Answer 1

It's called an orb.The Sovereign's Orb (representing Christian sovereignty) is placed in the Sovereign's right hand during the Coronation ceremony.Set with precious stones and pearls, it was made for Charles II's coronation.

You can visit http://www.royal.gov/uk/output/Page5019....

to read about the symbols of the Monarchy.

After the orb is presented "the coronation ring (representing kingly dignity, and dating from 1831) and the sceptres are then presented. The Sceptre with the Cross symbolises the Sovereign's temporal power under the Cross, while the Sceptre with Dove - or Rod of Equity and Mercy - symbolises the Sovereign's spiritual role. "

Answer 2

The globus cruciger (Latin "cross-bearing orb") is an orb (lat. globus) topped with a cross (lat. crux), a Christian symbol of authority used throughout the Middle Ages and even today on coins, iconography and royal regalia. It symbolises Christ's (the cross) dominion over the world (the orb), literally held in the dominion of an earthly ruler (or sometimes celestial being such as an angel). It is associated with the sceptre.

The visual symbolism of holding the world (the 'circle of countries', hence the word orb) in one's hand, or perhaps even more ominously under one's foot, was a clear message used since antiquity among pagans. Citizens of Rome were familiar with the plain round orb as a representation of the world or universe, and the emperor's dominion and protectorate over it.

With the growth of Christianity in the 5th century, the orb was topped with a cross (hence globus cruciger), symbolising the Christian God's dominion over the world. Symbolically to Christians, the emperor held the world in his hand, on behalf of God. In medieval iconography, an object's scale and size indicated its importance relative to other, surrounding objects; the world is seen small and the ruler or celestial being large, to emphasise the importance of each element. Even in the modern era in England, the Sovereign's****.symbolises both the state and Church of England under the protection and domain of the royal crown.

Answer 3

Its called a globus cruciger. It's an orb with a cross on top.

It's actually a Christian symbol of authority. It symbolizes Jesus (the cross)'s dominion over the earth (the orb). Kings hold it because of the "divine right of kings," which is the idea that kings are appointed by God, so in a way God is ruling through the king.

I think originally just a simple orb was used by the Romans to symbolize the earth, but as Christianity spread the orb was topped with a cross and adopted by Kings as a symbol of sovreignity.

Lots of kings used them, but I guess the one that most people think of is the British one. It was made in 1661 for Charles II.

Answer 4

It is called Globus Cruciger but In the United Kingdom it is usually known as the British Sovereign's Orb