The Crown of Thorns

Note: This is about Christ the King's literal Crown of Thorns. See also our page about the coronula, or “Little Crown”.

The Crown of Thorns (corona spinarum) is, obviously, an important object of devotion for members of the CCR. A stylized Crown of Thorns is part of our Seal, and a less stylized one is a primary element of our Full Arms. The Crown of Thorns represents perfectly what the CCR stands for, and so it deserves some explanation and great devotion.

The crown, the mark of kingship, was turned into an object of torture and mockery. Yet He has taken even this insult and made it a badge of His glory.

The crown, some form of distinguishing headdress, has been a fairly universal symbol of authority and, thus, of kingship, through all time and over all different cultures. Its use in traditional European monarchies is well-known to most English speakers, but crowns of one sort or another have been used in Japan, in China, in Nepal and India, in Persia, and in many other places. They have many different forms, of course, but the notion of some significant headdress to reflect rule or kingship is one of the more universal aspects of human culture.

So it is fitting that Christ, Our King, is often depicted with a regal crown, and we see the regal crown in much of the CCR's imagery, as well. These crowns are often very elaborate, and typically feature the symbol of His suffering and triumph, the Cross.

The Crown of Thorns, though, is a special emblem of His kingship. Just as the Cross, the instrument of His torture, has become the symbol of His triumph, so also the Crown of Thorns, which was made an instrument of torment and mockery, has become the symbol of His glorious kingship. The Crown of Thorns was intended not only to cause Him pain, but also to mock His claim to kingship; so His Resurrection, which definitively vindicated His kingship, has turned that Crown of mockery into one of glory.

So we in the CCR venerate the Crown of Thorns with a special devotion. We kneel, when possibly, when praying the Third Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary (the Crowning with Thorns); we have, when possible, an image or statute of the Crown of Thorns in our homes; we do honor to this great Crown of Our King, which symbolized His glorious kingship, as well as one of the chief claims to that kingship, His suffering and death on our behalf.

Christus vincit! Christus regnat! Christus imperat!