cetros

Cetros are ceremonial staffs that symbolize authority and office. Used by monarchs, state officials, and religious leaders in various cultures, they are typically tall rods with elaborately finished finials. The designs vary, often featuring a cross, an orb, a crown, or animal figures, and they are usually crafted from precious metals such as gold or silver, sometimes inlaid with enamel or gemstones. In coronations, investitures, and formal processions, a cetro may be presented to or carried by the person vested with authority. In heraldry, cetros appear as symbols of sovereignty on coats of arms and regalia, and they are sometimes replicated as ceremonial staffs for ceremonies and parades in modern states.

The word cetro comes from Latin scepter or sceptre, from Greek skeptron meaning a staff or baton; the English variants scepter and sceptre reflect this linguistic lineage.

Historically, cetros are found in many ancient and medieval societies, where the possession of a staff signified legitimacy and governance. In contemporary monarchies, ceremonial cetros remain part of regalia used in special occasions, while nonmonarchical states may employ similar insignia for ceremonial purposes or as emblems of office.