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''Hti'' (, ; ; Shan: ) is the name of the finial ornament that tops almost all pagodas in Myanmar (Burma). ''Hti'' is also a Burmese language word meaning umbrella. ==As regalia== In pre-colonial Burma, the ''hti'' was an indicator of social status and used exclusively by those who were granted express permission to do so. The white umbrella or ''hti byu'' () was one of the five articles of coronation regalia (, ''Min Myauk Taza''). Use and possession of a white umbrella was limited exclusively to the Burmese king and his chief queen, while the highest officials (''wun'', ) and royal princes (including the Crown Prince or ''Uparaja'') possessed golden umbrellas and lower-level officials possessed red umbrellas, if any. The white umbrella was a sign of sovereignty. Indeed, use of a white umbrella by any persons other than the king and his chief queen was regarded as a declaration of rebellion, punishable with immediate execution. At the death of the king, the white umbrellas in his possession were broken. The white umbrella was also permitted for religious usage. For instance, The Mahamuni Buddha was formerly shaded by a white umbrella. The umbrellas were embellished inside and out with pictures of sylphs and fairies in gold, thin gold plates shaped like banyan leaves fastened to the top, and handles of gold adorned with pearls, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, corals and with spangles. The umbrella used by the king when riding an elephant or travelling by carriage was called a ''yin hti''. The number of umbrellas in one's possession was also an indication of social status, as they were showcased during public processions and put up in prominent places at home. The king was allotted 9 white umbrellas, the Crown Prince 8 golden ones, distinguished statesmen and military generals several golden ones, and the other royal personages had numbers corresponding to achievements or the king's regard to them. The royal white elephants (''hsinphyudaw'', ) were also granted 6 umbrellas, 2 white and 4 golden. The ''Shwepon Nidan'', a treatise on palace matters, describes 11 types of royal umbrellas and corresponding spirit maidens (''nat thami'', ) who guarded them: 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Hti」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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