The words 'tiara' and 'diadem' can be used interchangeably as far as the actual object is concerned. The only real distinction I know of is that a diadem may be a symbol of royalty or power, while a tiara is just a jeweled thing you put on your head.
You could refer to the fine ornament on the head of a ruler as a diadem, but you wouldn't call it a tiara. You could use either word to describe the spangled object on the head of a well-dressed lady. If she's a queen or princess, and you call it a tiara, the implication is that she is not currently being an authority figure.
Interestly, objects worn by men in authority are never tiaras. So there's another distinction: a jeweled headdress worn by a man might be a diadem, which carries an implication that he's a bit exotic (or Papal). Good, manly, European dudes would never wear tiaras.
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Date: 2015-11-29 02:26 pm (UTC)The words 'tiara' and 'diadem' can be used interchangeably as far as the actual object is concerned. The only real distinction I know of is that a diadem may be a symbol of royalty or power, while a tiara is just a jeweled thing you put on your head.
You could refer to the fine ornament on the head of a ruler as a diadem, but you wouldn't call it a tiara. You could use either word to describe the spangled object on the head of a well-dressed lady. If she's a queen or princess, and you call it a tiara, the implication is that she is not currently being an authority figure.
Interestly, objects worn by men in authority are never tiaras. So there's another distinction: a jeweled headdress worn by a man might be a diadem, which carries an implication that he's a bit exotic (or Papal). Good, manly, European dudes would never wear tiaras.