Many of you mentioned that you liked the pomp and ceremony of the Royal Wedding. You enjoyed the color and performance that went along with the occasion of the Prince's wedding.
That makes perfect sense to me. It's a show and it brings out all kinds of emotion.
However the pomp and ceremony got me thinking about what pomp and ceremony is and what is it good for.
Mr Google isn't much help. If you google pomp and ceremony you get items on high school graduation and that the march played at most grads is called Pomp and Ceremony.
Then I tried to find a definition for the term and that was inconclusive. Some want to change it to Pomp and Circumstance.
Then I was thinking that there must be some practical value for pomp and ceremony. So Google that and I don't find anything.
So I'm left with coming up with my own ideas about the value of Pomp And Circumstance. My own ideas could be pretty wacky.
One of the results of Pomp and Circumstance is to remind us about historical origins of our system. Much of the pomp has a long historical relationship. Uniforms have many parts which represent something as in officer stripes that show the rank.
It's obvious that the leader is designated by various uniforms. My son was in our Reserved Armed Forces and was an officer and at one time OIC. He led and directed his men.
The pomp is to act as mentor...an example of correctness and leadership.
Ceremonies are self congratulatory. We celebrate what we've done and give ourselves confidence for the next challenge.
Now this is my speculation because my limited research didn't turn up anything.
What do you think about pomp and circumstance? Is it just beauty and celebration? Does it have a practical function in our society?
Marking an event or occasion with pomp and ceremony supplies importance and historical reference. We remember because we witnessed the grandeur and those honored feel the impact of all of the attention and effort on their behalf. It is very congratulatory. And besides, most of us like a good show and a little escape from reality.
ReplyDeleteYes, I realize what the effect is when I am recognized. I try twice as hard.
DeleteHi Red, I’m not sure I have an answer to your specific question but it reminded me of this. I once worked with a guy in a job where we were expected to wear a coat and tie. Just chatting with the guy one day he told me that he felt the way one dressed should show the respect they have for the job. I had to think that over and decided that it is probably true. So, all this pomp and circumstance and getting dressed up … perhaps it shows respect for the ceremony.
ReplyDeleteOkay John, when I was a rookie teacher, I decided not to wear a jacket shirt and tie. Was I ant less a teacher. Who said , "Clothes doth not make the man?"
DeleteYou are getting rather philosophical Red. Without occasional bouts of pomp and ceremony life could be quite dull. I think Harry and Meghan's wedding cost the British taxpayer over £45million. That's a hell of a lot of pomp and ceremony. I would have rather seen the money being spent on the salaries of a thousand nurses.
ReplyDeleteAgree with you on that one. It would be okay if it was their money. They would still be married even if they didn't have all the fancy clothes.
DeleteThe wedding was a fairy tale and a movie as well. It was like a good movie you were pulled into and dream away for a while. Many in my surroundings had the same experience. We all want sometimes experience something magical, don't we?
ReplyDeleteI realize people enjoy the spectacle and they get things out of it. This guy? Not so.
DeleteI fully enjoyed the pomp! There are so many complaining about the costs, but that is for the UK to decided. Then there is the issue of colonialism...
ReplyDeleteYet, there is nothing more beautiful than a wedding to celebrate new beginnings. There is such history to it all.
there certainly is an important historical perspective, but after that I'm not sure about the pomp!
DeleteI always thought of Pomp and Circumstance as something traditional that was passed down from generation to generation, a ceremony with special meaning. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd it's certainly meant to keep traditions alive.
DeleteI think it's wonderful to have ceremonies (with pomp) that celebrate milestones, such as marriages and births. In my own life, I enjoy seeing things like the Royal Wedding which gave me plenty of smiles and happy tears. :-)
ReplyDeleteI realize that we need things to enjoy and that they are important milestones.
DeleteI do think ceremony is important in that is makes us pause, remember and honor a part oflives as we rush onward.
ReplyDeleteWithout the pomp we may have all kinds of things and we have no idea of their importance.
DeleteA little pomp and circumstance (as I've heard it called, as opposed to pomp and ceremony) is good for us. It makes us pause and reflect on the majesty of a particular moment.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm culture deprived as I've seen very little pomp and ceremony
DeleteIt can lend dignity to a moment. I find that I enjoy watching the ceremony, short as it is, to the changing of the guard at the National War Memorial, for instance.
ReplyDeleteI must be missing a lot about pomp and circumstance.
DeleteIt's an acknowledgement to celebrate and share with friends and loved ones the result of a person's hard work in reaching a goal or the joy of a new beginning in life such as a marriage or birth. Pomp and circumstance is the cherry on the sundae!
ReplyDeleteLike your metaphor.
DeleteI like what Bonnie shared. It is a regal celebration.
ReplyDelete...and there are many more celebrations. Our military is full of ceremonial activities.
DeleteI enjoy watching weddings, so that was all it was for me. A little extravagant, for sure, but I was free that morning and decided "eh, why not?".
ReplyDeleteIt's a little extravagant when that country needs many more nurses for example.
DeleteIt allows us to appreciate and show respect for the moment. A grand celebration!
ReplyDelete