Sengol in India: 7 similar symbols used in different parts of the world

Sengol, a golden sceptre with its origins going back to Chola dynasty, now occupies a pride of place in Indian Parliament. On Sunday, 'staff of righteousness' was installed next to Lok Sabha Speaker's chair in new Parliament by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In run-up to inauguration, Sengol h become a contentious subject.

Sengol installed in Lok Sabha on May 28 is same one that was handed over by Lord Mountbatten to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to symbolise transfer of power from British crown to Independent India.  

Congress, however, denied historical significance of Sengol, and or parties, like Samajwi Party claimed that process in which Sengol was installed was rooted in Brahminical values. 

But Sengol has come to represent a symbol of good governance. Staffs gracing parliaments is not unique to India. Several nations, especially democracies, have staffs at ir parliaments. 

Here is a list: 

Mace of House: USA

(Credit: history.house.gov)

One of first emblems of American government, ceremonial mace is placed in  House of Representatives of United States, often known as Mace of Republic. It stands for American government's power, more specifically House of Representatives' legislative authority.

current mace has been in service since December 1, 1842. It was me by New York silversmith William ams to replace previous one that was burned in Capitol Building fire on August 24, 1814, during War of 1812. It cost $400 (equivalent to $11,000 in 2021). In interim, a basic wooden mace was put to use.

Scottish Parliament Mace

(Credit: Twitter/ @EducationSP)

silver mace in current Scottish Parliament was me in 1999 and features a golden wedding ring. mace is me of Scottish silver and has a belt of inlaid gold that was panned from Scottish rivers. marriage of people, land, and Parliament is symbolised by golden band. At he of mace, thistles featuring words "Wisdom, Justice, Compassion, Integrity" are weaved to symbolise values held by Scots for ir Parliamentarians. phrase "re shall be a Scottish Parliament - Scotland Act 1998" is engraved on mace's he.

Mace of Parliament of Cana

(Credit: sencana.ca)

ceremonial maces used in Canian Senate and House of Commons represent power that each house has been granted by nation's he of state. fourth mace, a duplicate of third mace that was destroyed by fire at Centre Block in 1916, is one that is currently used in Commons.

Similar procedures are followed in provincial and territorial legislatures, where a mace is used to symbolise sovereign's authority and power.

Mace of Parliament of Australia

(Credit: Parliament of Australia)

In Australia, House of Representatives' mace is a representation of both House's and Royal authority. It also signifies Speaker's authority because it has been stated that " authority of Speaker and of House are indivisible."

Before election of a Speaker, Mace is put on brackets beneath House Table, and when Speaker takes his or her position after being elected by House, it is placed on rest on table. 

Cokmar of Malaysia

(Credits: Wikipedia)

Cokmar, also known as War Clubs or Mace, is an ditional symbol of power and an essential part of Malaysian government's array of powers. Cokmar pair is me of silver. Each is 81.32 cm long and is me out of a short silver shaft placed on a circular, fluted orb me of plain silver.

Mace of Parliament: New Zealand

(Credit: New Zealand Parliament)

A symbolic mace for New Zealand House of Representatives has been used since 1866, when previous Speaker Sir Charles Clifford presented one to Legislature. Serjeant-at-Arms carries mace, which is seen as a representation of power of both Speaker and House.

Mace of Parliament: South Africa

(Credits: Parliament of South Africa)

mace represents power of National Assembly. Serjeant-at-Arms brings it into chamber and announces Speaker of National Assembly's entrance. It serves as notice that House is duly constituted and that its operations are official. Previously, a gold mace measuring 1.3 metres in length and 8.5 kilograms in weight was presented to Parliament by Gold Producers' Committee of Transvaal and Orange Free State Chamber of Mines. This mace was in use until 2004, when a new mace was me following extensive consultation in response to Rules Committee's decision to examine emblems of Parliament. first time this mace was used was on September 14, 2004, during a National Assembly session.