Salwe ( my, စလွယ်, ) are issues for Burmese

orders Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood * Heterarchy, a system of organization wherein the elements have the potential to be ranked a number of ...

. A ''salwe'' is a shoulder-belt formed with metal chains, normally fashioned in gold or silver, which are fastened in four places, in shields or bosses, and worn over the shoulder like an officer's sash. The Burmese monarchy used the ''salwe'' was purely secular, as it was used to recognize merit and service to the state.

Etymology and origins

The

Burmese language Burmese ( my, မြန်မာဘာသာ, MLCTS: ''mranmabhasa'', IPA: ) is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken in Myanmar (also known as Burma), where it is an official language, lingua franca, and the native language of the Burmans, the cou ...

word ''salwe'' is a

corruption Corruption is a form of dishonesty or a criminal offense which is undertaken by a person or an organization which is entrusted in a position of authority, in order to acquire illicit benefits or abuse power for one's personal gain. Corruption m ...

of the Hindi term ''janeu'' (जनेऊ). ''

Janeu ''Upanayana'' ( sa, उपनयनम्, lit=initiation, translit=Upanāyanam) is a Hindu educational sacrament, one of the traditional saṃskāras or rites of passage that marked the acceptance of a student by a preceptor, such as a ''guru'' ...

'' (also known as ''upanayana'') in Hindi, refers to a sacred investiture or Brahminical cord found in the higher castes of Hindu society. It is of ancient

Burmese Burmese may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Myanmar, a country in Southeast Asia * Burmese people * Burmese language * Burmese alphabet * Burmese cuisine * Burmese culture Animals * Burmese cat * Burmese chicken * Burmese (hor ...

origin. The ''salwe'' is referenced in the ''Salwedin Sadan'' (Book of the Order), a Burmese text that states the number of ''salwe'' cords that members of each of the four Hindu ''varna''s wore: #Rulers ('' Khattiya'') - 9 cords #Ritualists ('' Brahmana'') - 6 cords #Merchants ('' Vessa'') - 1-3 cords #Commoners ('' Sudda'') - none

Usage

The number of strands or threads indicate rank in the order. The ''salwe'' was worn as a symbol of high character, to maintain the purity of character of one's family or caste. During the Konbaung Dynasty, high-ranking ministers with immunity from various forms of execution (''thetdawshay'') also wore ''salwe'' of 18 strands. The following is a list of Konbaung-era grades and corresponding number of ''salwe'' strands conferred:

Current usage

The following ''salwes'' are currently issued by the Government of Burma: * Pyidaungsu Sithu Thingaha * Thiri Thudhamma Thingaha

References

* *

Etymology and origins

Usage

Current usage

References

See also