Symbols of leadership 2285219 176761148 2007-12-09T13:04:29Z SmackBot 433328 Date/fix the maintenance tags or gen fixes using [[Project:AutoWikiBrowser|AWB]] {{POV|date=December 2007}} '''[[Leadership]]''' cadres use '''[[symbolism|symbol]]s''' to reinforce their [[Political power|position power]] and provide a level of differentiation. [[Clothing]] frequently articulates rank or privilege, but accessories and external entities of varying functionality may also serve to mark out leaders - from [[finger ring]]s to personal aircraft. ==Presidential symbols== Presidential symbols comprise various insignia or other devices to denote a president's position. Some symbols follow accepted constitutional or [[diplomacy|diplomatic]] standards: [[flag]]s, [[sash]]es, entrance Marches or a [[medallion]] or [[necklace]]. The use of the symbols mostly occurs for domestic purposes. Examples of such symbols include the [[President of the United States|American]] presidential march "[[Hail to the Chief]]", and the [[presidential sash]]es worn by the presidents of [[Latin America]] nations. More practical, semi-symbolic features also abound: bodyguards may lurk semi-overtly; a head of state may use a special aircraft (see for example [[Air Force One]]). European presidents sometimes dress archaically for formal occasions. Such special clothing sets them apart - and may well militate against women aspiring to such high office when tradition expects them to wear (say) [[knee-breeches]]{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. ==Royal/Imperial symbols== Ruling dynasties often exploit pomp and ceremony with the use of [[regalia]]: [[Crown (headgear)|crowns]], [[robe]]s, [[orb and sceptre]]s, some of which are reflections of formerly practical objects. The use of language mechanisms also support this differentiation with subjects talking of "the crown" and/or of "the [[throne]]" rather than referring directly to personal names. [[Monarch]]ies provide the most explicit demonstration of tools to strengthen the elevation of leaders. Thrones sit high on [[dais]]es leading to subjects lifting their gaze (if they have permission) to contemplate the ruler. Architecture in general can set leaders apart: note the symbolism inherent in the very name of the Chinese imperial [[Forbidden City]]. The culture and legends around the ruling family may build on myths of [[divine right|divine-right]] and describe the ruler or the [[Son of Heaven]]{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. [[Noble court|Court]] ceremonial highlights symbolic distance between a royal/imperial leader and follower, in a hierarchical system which cultivates a social system and power network around the monarch. [[Bowing (social)|Bowing]] and [[curtsey]]ing remain as examples of the self-abasement of [[hand-kissing]], bowing and scraping, [[prostration]], [[kowtow]]ing and ''[[proskynesis]]'' formerly demanded. Sometimes [[color]] plays a special role in advertising monarchical status: thus the once very rare purple/crimson dye became a symbol reserved for imperial clothing - see [[purple#Symbolism|purple]]. Archaic touches often symbolically recall a glorious historical past: thus horse-drawn [[carriage]]s replace everyday motor-vehicles for royal state occasions, and [[courtier]]s and flunkeys in elaborate [[court uniform and dress|dress]] grant a sense of ancient distance. And monarchs emphasize the remaining traces of their [[divine right]] to rule when undergoing anointing at the hands of the Church during coronation ceremonies. ==Socio-political leadership symbols== Overlapping with and/or emulating royalty, a [[ruling class]] or an [[aristocracy]] can devote much of its energy into "keeping up appearances" and emphasizing the purity of noble blood by apartness. Symbolism can aid this process cheaply. A [[coat-of-arms]] (perhaps in the form of a banner or on note-paper) or the wearing of a [[sword]] can incur less expense than maintaining a [[stately home]]. The visible presence of [[servant]]s or [[Slavery|slave]]s reminds underlings of [[social distance]]. [[Patronage]], especially of [[fashion]], provides one of the most symbolic attributes of social leaders or would-be leaders. Compare [[conspicuous consumption]]. ==Military leadership symbols== Apart from more elaborate [[uniform]] and their distinguishing marks ([[epaulette]]s, caps, [[medal]]s), senior military officers may traditionally carry a [[Baton (symbol)|baton]] or affect a similar substitute (such as a [[swagger stick]] or [[cane]]). Compare [[staff of office]]. [[Banner]]s, [[pennant]]s and [[guidon]]s serve (or served in the past) to identify leaders as rallying-points or field command-posts. Traces of these continue on [[staff car]]s or on naval ships, for example: see [[broad pennant]] and compare the concept and origin of a [[flagship]]. ==Ecclesiastical leadership symbols== Religious dignitaries often use [[vestment]]s to emphasize the overall sacred nature of their organization. But some touches identify leaders and make them more imposing: a bishop's [[mitre]], for example, a cardinal's [[Red hat (Catholic)|red hat]], a papal [[tiara]] or a [[papal ring]]. Less flamboyant faiths may use subtler symbolism to set religious leadership, holiness or saintliness apart: the understated dark vestments of the Protestant clergyman, the relatively unobtrusive [[clerical collar]], or even the nakedness of a stereotypical [[Hinduism|Hindu]] ascetic [[fakir]]. ==Gender-related leadership symbols== Ownership of a [[harem]] has both practical and symbolic uses for leaders in traditional polygamous societies: harems spread genes and symbolically demonstrate wealth and status. Within such harems whole systems of symbolism may develop: the use of exclusive and inaccessible apartness, [[veil]]ing, and the employment of [[eunuch]]s. Cultures which practise [[serial monogamy]] feature harem-analogous symbolism in the flaunting of [[trophy wife|trophy wives]]. Items such as [[codpiece]]s may suggest the assumed superiority of one [[gender role|gender-role]] over another: or symbolic leadership (implied by implied potency) within [[patriarchy|patriarchal]] structures. A slightly less extreme example, but one more common in modern times, expresses [[power (sociology)|power]] relationships (and thus leadership symbolism) through the use of the phrase "wearing the [[trousers]]". Ancient Egyptian [[pharaoh]]s used a stylised artificial [[labdanum]]-soaked goats-hair [[beard]] as one of the regalia of rulership: a clear case of associating a male attribute with leadership. ==Symbols of leadership in offices== The [[suit (clothing)|suit]] continues to mark out the [[managerial class]] (which pretends to [[leadership]] functions) as a whole from ordinary [[Blue-collar worker|blue-collar]] or non-suited [[worker]]s. Suits stand at the apex of a system of [[dress code]] details: [[international standard business attire]], with largely symbolic associations; see for example: * [[White-collar worker]] * [[business casual]] * [[necktie]] * [[Collar (clothing)]] At the top levels of a [[bureaucracy|bureaucratic]] organisation, senior leaders often attempt to merge the practical with the symbolic, making the [[employee benefit|perks]] of office appear functional: they may claim larger cars, smaller computers, an entrance guarded by a (non-digital) [[personal assistant]], a large but uncluttered [[desk]] and (especially) a "[[corner office]]" with an aesthetically uplifting [[view]]. [[Category:Symbolism]]