Diadem vs. Crown — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 9, 2024
A diadem is a type of headband, often made of cloth and adorned with jewels, symbolizing sovereignty; a crown is a more elaborate, often metal headpiece that represents authority and power in many cultures.
Difference Between Diadem and Crown
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Key Differences
A diadem, historically, was a simple band worn around the head, typically made of cloth, leather, or metal and sometimes adorned with precious stones. It symbolized royal authority and was often used in ancient Greece and Rome. On the other hand, a crown is usually a more complex and ornate headpiece, often made of gold and jewels, and is associated with monarchy and the power of state across various cultures.
Diadems were originally designed to signify nobility or royalty but without the explicit connotations of ruling over a domain. They could be worn by various members of the nobility or royalty, not just by the ruling sovereign. Crowns, however, are specifically associated with the highest levels of authority within a kingdom or empire, often worn only by kings, queens, or emperors during official ceremonies and functions.
The design of diadems is typically more understated and can be a simple band, making them suitable for both ceremonial occasions and more personal, everyday wear by historical figures. Crowns, in contrast, feature intricate designs, including crosses, fleurons, and orb and scepter motifs, making them symbols of power, divine right, and the state.
In terms of symbolism, diadems often represent an bestowed honor or a status of nobility, without necessarily indicating sovereign power. Crowns carry deeper symbolism, including the legitimacy of a ruler, the sovereignty of a nation, and the continuity of a monarchy, often being part of the regalia used in coronation ceremonies.
While diadems have been adopted in various forms across different cultures, including as part of wedding attire or religious ceremonies, crowns have maintained their status as a symbol of governmental or organizational authority, used in state functions, military uniforms, and the iconography of nations and institutions.
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Comparison Chart
Material
Cloth, leather, metal
Gold, silver, precious stones
Symbolism
Nobility, honor
Authority, sovereignty
Complexity
Simple band
Ornate, intricate designs
Usage
Nobility, royalty, personal wear
Monarchs, official ceremonies
Cultural Significance
Varied, less formal
Deeply symbolic, formal
Compare with Definitions
Diadem
A headband or simple crown, often made of cloth and jewels.
The princess wore a delicate diadem set with pearls.
Crown
A ceremonial headpiece worn by monarchs, made of precious metals and jewels.
The king's crown was adorned with diamonds and rubies.
Diadem
Used in various ceremonies and personal adornment.
For her wedding, she chose a diadem instead of a traditional veil.
Crown
A symbol of sovereignty, divine right, and the state.
The crown embodies the continuity and legitimacy of the monarchy.
Diadem
A symbol of sovereignty, but less formal than a crown.
In ancient times, diadems were commonly worn by rulers.
Crown
Features complex designs and symbols.
The crown's design included the national emblem and symbols of justice.
Diadem
Can signify nobility or royal status.
The nobleman was granted a diadem as a sign of his status.
Crown
Represents the highest authority and power.
During the coronation, the crown is placed on the monarch's head.
Diadem
Often simpler and more wearable.
Historical figures might have preferred a diadem for everyday wear due to its comfort.
Crown
Used in official ceremonies and state functions.
The crown is kept in the treasury and only used for significant state ceremonies.
Diadem
A diadem is a type of crown, specifically an ornamental headband worn by monarchs and others as a badge of royalty.
Crown
A circular ornamental headdress worn by a monarch as a symbol of authority, usually made of or decorated with precious metals and jewels.
Diadem
A crown worn as a sign of royalty.
Crown
The top or highest part of something
The crown of the hill
Diadem
Royal power or dignity.
Crown
The part of a tooth projecting from the gum
A thin layer of enamel covers the crown
Diadem
To adorn with or as if with a diadem.
Crown
A British coin with a face value of five shillings or 25 pence, now minted only for commemorative purposes.
Diadem
An ornamental headband worn as a badge of royalty.
Crown
A paper size, 384 × 504 mm.
Diadem
A crown.
Crown
Ceremonially place a crown on the head of (someone) in order to invest them as a monarch
He went to Rome to be crowned
She was crowned queen in 1953
Diadem
Regal power; sovereignty; empire—considered as symbolized by the crown.
Crown
Rest on or form the top of
The distant knoll was crowned with trees
Diadem
(heraldry) An arch rising from the rim of a crown (rarely also of a coronet), and uniting with others over its centre.
Crown
Be the triumphant culmination of (an effort or endeavour, especially a prolonged one)
Years of struggle were crowned by a state visit to Paris
Diadem
To adorn with a diadem; to crown.
Crown
Fit a crown to (a tooth)
Simple fillings no longer suffice and the tooth has to be crowned
Diadem
Originally, an ornamental head band or fillet, worn by Eastern monarchs as a badge of royalty; hence (later), also, a crown, in general.
Crown
Hit on the head
She contained the urge to crown him
Diadem
Regal power; sovereignty; empire; - considered as symbolized by the crown.
Crown
(of a baby's head during labour) fully appear in the vaginal opening prior to emerging
I was able to see our baby's head crowning
Diadem
An arch rising from the rim of a crown (rarely also of a coronet), and uniting with others over its center.
Crown
An ornamental circlet or head covering, often made of precious metal set with jewels and worn as a symbol of sovereignty.
Diadem
To adorn with a diadem; to crown.
Not so, when diadem'd with rays divine.
To terminate the evil,To diadem the right.
Crown
The power, position, or empire of a monarch or of a state governed by constitutional monarchy.
Diadem
An ornamental jewelled headdress signifying sovereignty
Crown
The monarch as head of state.
Crown
A distinction or reward for achievement, especially a title signifying championship in a sport.
Crown
Something resembling a diadem in shape.
Crown
A coin stamped with a crown or crowned head on one side.
Crown
Abbr. cr. A silver coin formerly used in Great Britain and worth five shillings.
Crown
Any one of several coins, such as the koruna, the krona, or the krone, having a name that means “crown.”
Crown
The top or highest part of the head.
Crown
The head itself.
Crown
The top or upper part of a hat.
Crown
The highest point or summit.
Crown
The highest, primary, or most valuable part, attribute, or state
Considered the rare Turkish stamp the crown of their collection.
Crown
The part of a tooth that is covered by enamel and projects beyond the gum line.
Crown
An artificial substitute for the natural crown of a tooth.
Crown
(Nautical) The lowest part of an anchor, where the arms are joined to the shank.
Crown
(Architecture) The highest portion of an arch, including the keystone.
Crown
The upper, spreading part of a tree or shrub.
Crown
The part of a plant, usually at ground level, where the stem and roots merge.
Crown
The persistent, mostly underground base of a perennial herb.
Crown
See corona.
Crown
The crest of an animal, especially of a bird.
Crown
The portion of a cut gem above the girdle.
Crown
To put a crown or garland on the head of.
Crown
To invest with regal power; enthrone.
Crown
To confer honor, dignity, or reward upon.
Crown
To surmount or be the highest part of.
Crown
To form the crown, top, or chief ornament of.
Crown
To bring to completion or successful conclusion; consummate
Crowned the event with a lavish reception.
Crown
(Dentistry) To put a crown on (a tooth).
Crown
(Games) To make (a piece in checkers that has reached the last row) into a king by placing another piece upon it.
Crown
(Informal) To hit on the head.
Crown
To reach a stage in labor when a large segment of the fetal scalp is visible at the vaginal orifice. Used of a fetus.
Crown
A royal, imperial or princely headdress; a diadem.
Crown
A wreath or band for the head, especially one given as reward of victory or a mark of honor.
Crown
(by extension) Any reward of victory or mark of honor.
The martyr’s crown
Crown
Imperial or regal power, or those who wield it.
Crown
(metonym) The sovereign (in a monarchy), as head of state.
Crown
The state, the government (headed by a monarch).
Treasure recovered from shipwrecks automatically becomes property of the Crown.
Crown
The top part of something:
Crown
The topmost part of the head.
Crown
The highest part of a hill.
Crown
The top section of a hat, above the brim.
Crown
The raised centre of a road.
Crown
The highest part of an arch.
Crown
The upper range of facets in a rose diamond.
Crown
The dome of a furnace.
Crown
The upper part of certain fruits, as the pineapple or strawberry, that is removed before eating.
Crown
(architecture) A kind of spire or lantern formed by converging flying buttresses.
Crown
Splendor; culmination; acme.
Crown
Any currency (originally) issued by the crown (regal power) and often bearing a crown (headdress); (translation) various currencies known by similar names in their native languages, such as the koruna, kruna, krone, korona.
Crown
(historical) A former pre-decimalization British coin worth five shillings.
Crown
(botany) The part of a plant where the root and stem meet.
Crown
(forestry) The top of a tree.
Crown
The part of a tooth above the gums.
Crown
(dentistry) A prosthetic covering for a tooth.
Crown
(nautical) A knot formed in the end of a rope by tucking in the strands to prevent them from unravelling
Crown
(nautical) The part of an anchor where the arms and the shank meet
Crown
(nautical) The rounding, or rounded part, of the deck from a level line.
Crown
(paper) In England, a standard size of printing paper measuring 20 × 15 inches.
Crown
(paper) In American, a standard size of writing paper measuring 19 × 15 inches.
Crown
(chemistry) A monocyclic ligand having three or more binding sites, capable of holding a guest in a central location
Crown
(medical) During childbirth, the appearance of the baby's head from the mother's vagina
Crown
(firearms) A rounding or smoothing of the barrel opening
Crown
(geometry) The area enclosed between two concentric perimeters.
Crown
(religion) A round spot shaved clean on the top of the head, as a mark of the clerical state; the tonsure.
Crown
A whole bird with the legs and wings removed to produce a joint of white meat.
Crown
A formal hat worn by women to Sunday church services; a church crown.
Crown
The knurled knob or dial, on the outside of a watch case, used to wind it or adjust the hands.
Crown
Of, related to, or pertaining to a crown.
Crown prince
Crown
Of, related to, pertaining to the top of a tree or trees.
A crown fire
Crown
To place a crown on the head of.
Crown
To formally declare (someone) a king, queen, emperor, etc.
Crown
To bestow something upon as a mark of honour, dignity, or recompense; to adorn; to dignify.
Crown
To form the topmost or finishing part of; to complete; to consummate; to perfect.
Crown
To declare (someone) a winner.
Crown
(medicine) Of a baby, during the birthing process; for the surface of the baby's head to appear in the vaginal opening.
The mother was in the second stage of labor and the fetus had just crowned, prompting a round of encouragement from the midwives.
Crown
(transitive) To cause to round upward; to make anything higher at the middle than at the edges, such as the face of a machine pulley.
Crown
To hit on the head.
Crown
(video games) To shoot an opponent in the back of the head with a shotgun in a first-person shooter video game.
Crown
(board games) In checkers, to stack two checkers to indicate that the piece has become a king.
“Crown me!” I said, as I moved my checker to the back row.
Crown
(firearms) To widen the opening of the barrel.
Crown
(military) To effect a lodgment upon, as upon the crest of the glacis, or the summit of the breach.
Crown
(nautical) To lay the ends of the strands of (a knot) over and under each other.
Crown
(slang) being about to take a poop (usually trying to hold it in, derived from obstetric use: metaphor of "giving birth" to solid poo)
Crown
(archaic) crow
Crown
A wreath or garland, or any ornamental fillet encircling the head, especially as a reward of victory or mark of honorable distinction; hence, anything given on account of, or obtained by, faithful or successful effort; a reward.
They do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Crown
A royal headdress or cap of sovereignty, worn by emperors, kings, princes, etc.
Crown
The person entitled to wear a regal or imperial crown; the sovereign; - with the definite article.
Parliament may be dissolved by the demise of the crown.
Large arrears of pay were due to the civil and military servants of the crown.
Crown
Imperial or regal power or dominion; sovereignty.
There is a power behind the crown greater than the crown itself.
Crown
Anything which imparts beauty, splendor, honor, dignity, or finish.
The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband.
Crown
Highest state; acme; consummation; perfection.
Mutual love, the crown of all our bliss.
Crown
The topmost part of anything; the summit.
The steepy crown of the bare mountains.
Crown
The topmost part of the head (see Illust. of Bird.); that part of the head from which the hair descends toward the sides and back; also, the head or brain.
From toe to crown he'll fill our skin with pinches.
Twenty things which I set down:This done, I twenty more-had in my crown.
Crown
The part of a hat above the brim.
Crown
The part of a tooth which projects above the gum; also, the top or grinding surface of a tooth.
Crown
The vertex or top of an arch; - applied generally to about one third of the curve, but in a pointed arch to the apex only.
Crown
Same as Corona.
Crown
That part of an anchor where the arms are joined to the shank.
Crown
The upper range of facets in a rose diamond.
Crown
The dome of a furnace.
Crown
The area inclosed between two concentric perimeters.
Crown
A round spot shaved clean on the top of the head, as a mark of the clerical state; the tonsure.
Crown
A size of writing paper. See under Paper.
Crown
A coin stamped with the image of a crown; hence,a denomination of money; as, the English crown, a silver coin of the value of five shillings sterling, or a little more than $1.20; the Danish or Norwegian crown, a money of account, etc., worth nearly twenty-seven cents.
Crown
An ornaments or decoration representing a crown; as, the paper is stamped with a crown.
Crown
To cover, decorate, or invest with a crown; hence, to invest with royal dignity and power.
Her who fairest does appear,Crown her queen of all the year.
Crown him, and say, "Long live our emperor."
Crown
To bestow something upon as a mark of honor, dignity, or recompense; to adorn; to dignify.
Thou . . . hast crowned him with glory and honor.
Crown
To form the topmost or finishing part of; to complete; to consummate; to perfect.
Amidst the grove that crowns yon tufted hill.
One day shall crown the alliance.
To crown the whole, came a proposition.
Crown
To cause to round upward; to make anything higher at the middle than at the edges, as the face of a machine pulley.
Crown
To effect a lodgment upon, as upon the crest of the glacis, or the summit of the breach.
Crown
The Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy;
The colonies revolted against the Crown
Crown
The enamel covered part of a tooth above the gum
Crown
A wreath or garland worn on the head to signify victory
Crown
An ornamental jewelled headdress signifying sovereignty
Crown
The part of a hat (the vertex) covering the crown of the head
Crown
An English coin worth 5 shillings
Crown
The upper branches and leaves of a tree
Crown
The top point of a mountain or hill;
The view from the peak was magnificent
They clambered to the summit of Monadnock
Crown
The award given to the champion
Crown
The top of the head
Crown
The center of a cambered road
Crown
Invest with regal power; enthrone;
The prince was crowned in Westminster Abbey
Crown
Be the culminating event;
The speech crowned the meeting
Crown
Form the topmost part of;
A weather vane crowns the building
Crown
Put an enamel cover on;
Crown my teeth
Common Curiosities
What is the main difference between a diadem and a crown?
The main difference lies in their complexity and symbolism; diadems are simpler bands, while crowns are elaborate headpieces symbolizing sovereign power.
Can a diadem be considered a type of crown?
Yes, a diadem can be considered a type of crown, but it is typically simpler and with different historical and cultural connotations.
Can anyone wear a crown?
Traditionally, crowns are worn by monarchs or those in equivalent positions of authority, though symbolic crowns can be used in different contexts.
What materials are crowns made from?
Crowns are often made from precious metals like gold or silver and adorned with jewels.
Are diadems still used today?
Yes, diadems are used in various cultural, religious ceremonies, and personal adornment, such as in weddings.
What distinguishes a crown used in a monarchy from one in other contexts?
Crowns in monarchies symbolize the continuity of the state and sovereign power, while in other contexts, they may represent different forms of authority or honor.
Who wears a diadem?
Diadems can be worn by nobility, royalty, or individuals bestowed with certain honors, not necessarily limited to reigning sovereigns.
Is the symbolism of crowns universal across cultures?
While the concept of symbolizing authority is common, the specific symbolism and design of crowns can vary greatly across cultures.
How do diadems and crowns reflect the cultural values of a society?
They reflect the societal values of honor, leadership, and the hierarchical structure, showcasing the artistic and material wealth of the culture.
What does a crown symbolize?
A crown symbolizes authority, sovereignty, and the legitimacy of a ruler or a state.
How are diadems and crowns used in ceremonies?
Diadems might be used for personal adornment in ceremonies, while crowns are used in official functions like coronations.
How has the use of diadems and crowns evolved over time?
While their core symbolism remains, their usage and designs have evolved, adapting to cultural and ceremonial needs.
Can crowns be part of religious ceremonies?
Yes, crowns can play a role in certain religious ceremonies, symbolizing divine authority or blessings.
Do diadems and crowns have different cultural significances?
Yes, diadems often have varied, less formal significances across cultures, while crowns have deep, formal symbolism related to state and sovereignty.
Are there any specific occasions where a diadem is preferred over a crown?
Yes, diadems may be preferred for less formal occasions, personal ceremonies, or when simplicity and comfort are desired.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
