Crowns were so often used symbolically to express honor and power that it is not always safe to infer national usages from the passages in which they occur. Hence we could scarcely conclude from Ezek. xxiii :42 that crowns were worn by Jewish females, although that they wore some ornament which might be so called is prob able from other sources. Mr. Lane (Arabian Nights, i. 424) mentions that until about two cen turies ago a kind of crown was worn by Arabian females of wealth and distinction. It was gener ally a circle of jeweled gold (the lower edge of which was straight, and the upper fancifully heightened to a mere point), surmounting the low er part of a dome-shaped cap, with a jewel or some other ornament at the summit.
It is certain that 'crowns' of this or some simi lar kind were worn at marriages (Cant. iii :It ; Is. lxi :to) ; and it would appear that at feasts and public festivals 'crowns of rejoicing' were cus tomary. These were probably garlands (Wisd. ii :8; iv:2; Ecclus. i:11).
Figuratiere. (I) The crown was a symbol of victory and reward. victors being crowned in the Grecian or Olympic games. These crowns were usually made of leaves, which soon began to wither. They are more than once alluded to in the epistles (1 Cor. ix:25; 2 Tim. ii:5; iv:8; t Pet. v:4) and contrasted with the incorruptible crown of life. (2) Anything that adds honor and glory to one. Thus the Lord was a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty to Judah; he protected, exalted, and reformed them, when the ten tribes were carried into captivity (Is. xxviii: 5, with 2 Chron. xxix-xxxiii). (3) The church is a crown of glory, and royal diadem to God; in her, his glory, power, and authority are clearly displayed (Is. lxii:3; Zech. ix:16). (4) Christ's
crown of gold, his many crowns, are the media torial power, authority, and glory assigned him by his Father ; his manifold victories and high sovereignty, and the ascription of all praise and honor to him by the church (Ps. cxxxii :18 ; Rev. xix :12 ; Cant. iii:t t). (5) The church's crown of twelve stars is her heavenly, illumining, and directing doctrines of the prophets and apostles, which are her honor, and mark her royal state and marriage with Christ (Rev. xii:1). (6) Saints are a crown to ministers; are the ornament and honor of their labors (Phil. iv:1; 1 Thess 79). (7) The saint's crown of glory, life, and righteousness is that royal and truly honorable state of glory, life, and holiness given them through the righteousness of jest's Christ (Rev. iii:11, and ii:to; I Pet. v:4; 2 Tim. iv:8). (8) The saints cost their crowns before God's throne; they undervalue themselves, and all they have, in comparison of him ; and ascribe their whole exist ence, holiness, and happiness to Christ, and to God in him (Rev. iv:4. to). (9) A good wife is a crown, and honor, and cause of wealth and power to her husband ( Prov. xii :4). ( to) So are children a crown to their parents (Prov. xvii:6). (11) A hoary head, or gray hairs, is a crown; an honorable badge of wisdom and authority (Prov. xx :29. and xvi :31). (12) Riches are a crown to the wise, as they gain and expend them honorably (Prov. xiv:24). (13) Honor, wealth, and authority arc called a crown (Prov. xvii :6, xxvii :24. and iv :O.