Umbraculum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Umbraculum—Italian: Ombrellino (from Latin umbra 'shade' for a sun-umbrella)—is an historic piece of the papal regalia and insignia, once used on a daily basis to provide shade for the pope (Galbreath, 27). Also known as the pavilion, in modern usage the umbracullum is a symbol of the Roman Catholic Church and the authority of a pope over it. It is found in the contemporary Church at all the basilicas throughout the world, placed prominently at the right of their main altars. Whenever a pope visits a basilica, its umbracullum is opened.
Translated from the Latin language into the Italian language, it is known as an ombrellino or in the English language as an umbrella. It is shaped as a Baldachin-type canopy with broad alternating gold and red stripes, the traditional colors of the pontificate (white did not begin to be used as the papal color until after the Napoleonic wars). It also featured a staff with small bells, which often chimed to announce the arrival of a pope travelling by horse and carriage. The controversial Borgia Pope Alexander VI was the first pope to use the umbracullum as a symbol of the temporal powers of the papacy (Galbreath, 31); royalty during those days commonly walked outdoors under a canopy. A member of the Papal Gentlemen would often follow behind a pope with the umbracullum in hand.
The umbraculum is part of the coat of arms of the Holy See sede vacante, i.e. between the reigns of two popes. It was first used as an interregnal emblem in this way on coins minted in 1521 (Galbreath, 34).
The umbraculum is one of the symbols bestowed by the pope when he elevates a church to the rank of a basilica.
The coat of arms of the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church are ornamented with a pair of gold and silver keys in saltire surmounted by an umbraculum.
[edit] References
- Galbreath, Donald Lindsay (1972). Papal Heraldry. Heraldry Today. ISBN 0-900455-22-5.
- Noonan, Jr., James-Charles (1996). The Church Visible: The Ceremonial Life and Protocol of the Roman Catholic Church. Viking. ISBN 0-670-86745-4.
[edit] External links
- Procession with umbraculum by the collegiate chapter of the Basilica of Sts Peter and Paul in Gozo, Malta
