‘Sengol’ in Tamil, sceptre or simply staff, in English, has been in the news in recent times and will continue to be there, for a long time to come. It is supposed to represent authority and sovereignty. In many parliamentary systems around the world, a ceremonial mace is used as a symbol of authority during parliamentary proceedings. The mace represents the authority of the legislature and is often placed in front of the Speaker or the presiding officer. Why must there be such a hue and cry over the installation of ‘Sengol’? Doesn’t it represent the power of democracy? Monarchies were dismantled long time ago or is it because, history has been corrected, or created, whichever way one may want to see?
It suddenly caught the attention of the common man when the ruling party priced it out, praised it, revered it and adopted it as a symbol of transfer of power. Throughout history and mythology, many cultures have revered sceptres as symbols of power, leadership, and divine authority. They tell fascinating stories of symbolism attached to them in cultural or historical context of their times. A run through history reveals why our ‘Sengol’ too must find its place under the sun.
The British monarchy has a ceremonial Sceptre the “Sceptre with the Cross”, traditionally carried during the coronation ceremony. It is one of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom and symbolizes the monarch’s temporal authority.
Be it the legendary golden sceptre known as the “Seadna,” in Irish mythology, brought to Ireland by the mythical Fir Bolg people, by which the Irish kings sought authority and legitimacy from its supposedly magical powers, or the Sceptre of Anubis, the god of the dead of afterlife, and the judgment of souls, or Osiris, the god of the afterlife, shown with a sceptre, as a symbol of divine authority and protection, in Egyptian mythology, they all were often depicted holding a sceptre, a long staff topped with the head of an animal associated with power, and divine authority.
Asclepius, the deity of healing and medicine, in Greek mythology, has a serpent entwined around a staff that he carried. In ancient Rome, the Fasces were a bundle of rods bound together around an axe, symbolizing the authority of magistrates and were carried by lictors as a symbol of their power and the ability to enforce the law. In Chinese mythology, the Jade Emperor, a powerful deity who rules over heaven and earth, often is shown holding a golden staff, symbolizing his divine authority and power.
In ancient Egypt, the pharaohs held a ceremonial sceptre called the “Heqa”, that represented their power and authority over the kingdom. The Pope of the Roman Catholic Church holds a ceremonial staff known as the Papal Ferula or Papal Cross. It symbolizes his spiritual authority and role as the head of the Church. In Japan, the Emperor holds a sceptre called the “Shaku” or “Sceptre of the Chrysanthemum,” and is one of the ‘Three Sacred Treasures’ of Japan representing imperial authority and legitimacy. Even the Mongolian leaders, including Genghis Khan and subsequent Khans, held a staff called the “Noyan” or “Sceptre of Authority.”
In Indian history, various dynasties and kingdoms, such as the Rashtrakuta, Pala, Chola, Mughal, Ahom, Maratha dynasties, or Vijayanagar and Bahmani Kingdoms, they all had their own sceptres that symbolized royal authority and sovereignty. Hindu scriptures and Mythology too have numerous such examples. Lord Yama, the god of death and justice is often depicted carrying a staff called the ‘Danda’ that represents his role as the lord of justice and the dispenser of divine retribution. Have we not seen a Sceptre in the procession of every university, carried by either the Registrar or the Controller of Examinations during convocations?
‘Sengol’ could be just symbolism. But symbols have the ability to inspire, heal, and transform, provide guidance and clarity in times of uncertainty. Each culture often imbues these objects with unique symbolism and significance, reflecting their respective beliefs and systems of governance. What however, is interesting is that they all represent authority and legitimacy and often have fascinating stories and symbolism attached to them. That being the case, will governments now install customised ‘Sengol’s every time, there is a change of government, aka change of power? That also will be a story in itself worth telling. Doesn’t posterity demand it?