diádma

Diádma (Greek: διάδημα) is a term used in ancient Greek to denote a crown or headband worn as a sign of rank or honor. The English loanword diadem derives from this Greek term and refers to a similar ornamental crown. A diádma is typically a metal circlet, often elaborately decorated with gold or silver and gemstones, placed around the forehead and sometimes extending around the sides of the head.

In ancient cultures, diadems symbolized sovereignty, victory, or divine favor and were worn by rulers, religious figures, and heroes in art and sculpture. The form and style varied by region and period, ranging from simple bands to richly adorned headbands with radiating ornaments or star-like motifs.

In modern usage, diadem is largely a literary or ceremonial term for a crown and is encountered in heraldry, sculpture, or discussions of myth and history. The word is closely related to other crown types such as corona and tiara; however, it usually implies a circlet with front-oriented decoration rather than a complete, enclosed crown. While the term diádma is primarily of historical and linguistic interest, its English descendant diadem remains common in descriptions of royal insignia, both in historical contexts and in descriptions of fictional or ceremonial regalia.