Great Crown of Victory

The Great Crown of Victory or Phra Maha Phichai Mongkut (Thai: พระมหาพิชัยมงกุฏ) is part of the Regalia of Thailand. Made of gold in the reign of King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke or Rama I in 1782, it is 26" (66 centimeters) high and weighs 16 lb (7.3 kg), and enamelled in red and green. Thanks to King Mongkut or Rama IV, the Great Crown of Victory is also set in diamonds. The King added a large cut diamond from India to decorate the top of the royal crown, called Phra Maha Wichian Mani. The crown is of a distinctive Thai design, being a multi-tiered conical diadem, terminating in a tapering spire.

The King only wears the crown during his coronation, where the King places the crown on his own head. The shape of the crown, represents the concept of "dhevaraja", the tall spire represents divine authority and right to rule over the people.

Currently, the Great Crown of Victory is the most important of the five Regalia, yet once the crown possessed the same importance as any other Regalia. However it was under the influence of western culture that the king would accede to the throne when crowned, in the reign of King Chulalongkorn, Rama V.

Gallery

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  The Great Crown of Victory (heraldic version)
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  The Great Crown of Victory (heraldic version), drawn by Hugo Gerard Ströhl
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  The privy seal of King Mongkut (Rama IV), depicting the Great Crown of Victory.
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  Flag of the Minister of Defence of Thailand since 1936.
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  A replica of the Great Crown of Victory for the mast of the royal yacht Mahachakri II, Royal Thai Naval Museum, Samut Prakan.
• King Bhumibol Adulyadej wearing the Great Crown of Victory on his coronation day at the Grand Palace, 5 May 1950.
  King Bhumibol Adulyadej wearing the Great Crown of Victory on his coronation day at the Grand Palace, 5 May 1950.
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  "The Great Crown of Victory", "exhibit" on Ratchadamnoen Avenue in Bangkok showing the Thai Regalia in honour of the 60th anniversary of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej's ascension to the throne in 2006.

References

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