The ancient Persian crown (Esther 1:11; 2:17; 6:8 ) was called Kether; I.e., "a chaplet," a high cap or tiara. Crowns were worn sometimes to represent honour and power ( Ezekiel 23:42 ). They were worn at marriages (Song of Solomon 3:11; Isaiah 61:10 , "ornaments;" RSV, "a garland"), and at feasts and public festivals. The crown was among the Romans and Greeks a symbol of victory and reward. The crown or wreath worn by the victors in the Olympic games was made of leaves of the wild olive; in the Pythian games, of laurel; in the Nemean games, of parsley; and in the Isthmian games, of the pine. The Romans bestowed the "civic crown" on him who saved the life of a citizen. It was made of the leaves of the oak. In opposition to all these fading crowns the apostles speak of the incorruptible crown, the crown of life (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10 ) "that fadeth not away" (1 Peter 5:4 , Gr. amarantinos; comp 1:4). Probably the word "amaranth" was applied to flowers we call "everlasting," the "immortal amaranth."
Copyright Statement
These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain.
Bibliography Information
Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Crown'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​ebd/​c/crown.html. 1897.