Baejan Coronation Ceremony

Overview

The ascension of the new baejan (emperor/empress) occurs at the moment the previous ruler dies or retires. Generally, the previous baejan will retire when their heir is in their late 20s to early 30s. If this happens, the coronation doubles as both the point at which the new ruler ascends the throne of Eoion and the coronation ceremony itself. In the event that the ruler dies before this point, as the throne is never vacant, the heir will automatically ascend the throne and become the ruler even before the coronation ceremony. If the heir is too young, the royal consort will take the position of baejan (emperor/empress regent) until the heir becomes an adult at age 20.
Once the ceremony ends, the heir is considered to be the new ruler both practically and officially, with all of the rights, privileges, responsibilities, and powers that come with their new position. Before this, the position was practical only.

Execution

Standard

A standard coronation of a new ruler in Eoion is divided into five parts over the course of a single day. These are spread over several hours each and take the new ruler to various points in both the Gandenye and Niuus.
The first section of the coronation ceremony, the Imperial-Royal Dressing (Gandayan-Rolev Dzehuyidev) involves the dressing the new ruler. They are given one piece of their predecessor's clothing, generally a robe or belt, to wear in order to signify the connection between them, almost always parent and child. The Historic Significance Department is responsible for assisting the previous ruler in choosing the best garment to bestow and then transports it to the heir's palace within the Gandenye. Once the garment arrives, the heir is dressed in their most formal attire and their hair braided in an incredibly complex style, with depictions of flowers along with patterns that weave in an out of one another. Ornaments are also placed at specific points in the hair, representing the six essences. Heat and light are added at the most prominent points as these are essential to the family magic.
During the second portion, the Guidance of Ancestors (Rúbúi Kovobu), the new ruler goes to the family shrine and details their ascension to their predecessors and deceased family members. This is done alone at first and then the previous baejan and their royal consort join as well to privately relinquish their titles and power to the heir. Each leaves a few strands of hair at the base of the statue of Ilya Shiroko and the heir asks the founder for guidance in their rule. All three then burn the strands. If one can produce heat magic, that is used. If not, then a previously prepared fire is used instead.
Third, the Crown Giving (Pùhai Dzepù), is performed. Before the heir enters the High Grand Hall within the Gandenye, the previous ruler arrives wearing both crowns of the empire. They sit on the throne with their royal consort standing at their side. Next, the heir enters and kneels for one final time to both the baejan and consort. The ruler stands and removes the necklace containing the tsirin ring on it and put it on the heir. This shows their dominion over the Ilyannoi and royal family. Next, the smaller crown is removed. This was the crown worn by the first dynasty of Eoion and symbolizes the ruler's dominion over the original kingdom. The former ruler places the crown on the heir's head and then removes the second, which was commissioned by Ilya I upon is ascension and symbolizes the ruler's control over the empire. This is then also placed on the heir's head. After both crowns and the ring/necklace are given, the previous ruler steps down from the throne, along with the royal consort, and the new baejan is seated. The former ruler, royal consort, and assembled court, then prostrate themselves five times to the new ruler, once for each of the original five kingdoms.
It is at this point that the ruler calls forth their tsirin, which they created during the weeks leading up to the ceremony. The making of the tsirin shows the new baejan is proficient in stitching magic and it is extremely important that one be presented during the coronation. The greater the resemblance of this tsirin to the one created by Ilya I in terms of strength, speed, stamina, appearance, etc. the more of a right to rule the baejan is said to have.
The fourth portion of the ceremony, First Circle (Bù Nuankur), involves the new baejan, and their tsirin, walking out to a carriage just outside of the walls of the Gandenye, escorted by the full ruler's compliment of the Wenutsuekul Gandayan Zitsoeii rather than the detail assigned to the heir. Here, the new baejan are presented to the wider nobility for the first time. The carriage then circles the Gandenye to show the baejan's dominion over the seat of governmental authority in Eoion.
Lastly, the ruler's carriage moves to the outside of Niuus and circles the city in the Second Circle (Bare (bah'reh) Nuankur). This is meant to show the baejan's rule over the wider citizenry. The general public sees the ruler for the first time during this portion of the ceremony. It is the one time the public is guaranteed to see a tsirin and the presentation of it to them is meant to renew and solidify their faith in the royal family.
When the Second Circle is completed, the procession returns to the Gandenye and the ruler is escorted by the Wenutsuekul Gandayan Zitsoeii to the Gilded Banquet Hall. Here, the ruler takes their place at the center of the long table at the head of the room and, surrounded on either side by family. The table is raised up from the rest of the seating by six steps. All other tables are perpendicular to the door and guests are seated in order of rank, with the highest at seats closest to the ruler.
Gifts are presented to the ruler from family, all heads of the imperial governmental departments, major trade organizations, noble houses, members of the court, foreign ambassadors, and any others who are high enough in rank to merit a place as a guest at the feast.

Deviations

Prior to the coronation of Baejanvela Inna Shiroko, her father, Ilya III, had died in battle so was unable to pass the crowns and necklace on to her or give any of his clothing. Instead, her mother, Tsudaebavela Kariin chose the clothing with help from the head priest from the family temple and later passed the royal regalia to Inna. The rest of the ceremony proceeded as normal.
The coronation of the current baejan, Taras Shiroko, was changed in several ways due to the odd circumstances surrounding his ascension. First, as he was 19 and therefore not a legal adult, he had to be granted adulthood. After the death of his uncle, Vlabaejanvela Andriy Shiroko, Taras became the practical ruler and thus declared himself an adult.
Second, with both of his parents deceased, the passing of the regalia would have fallen to Andriy. However, Taras had killed him. His grandmother, Inna had died several years before so there were no living rulers to pass the crowns and necklace to him. Instead, a statue of Ilya I, along with a protrait of Taras's mother, Olha Shiroko, were positioned just to the right of the throne and the necklace and crowns laid in the statue's hands. Taras bowed to the statue and the portrait then placed the regalia on himself, Symbolically, this was meant to state that his rule was approved by Ilya and Olha, who would have given him the crowns and necklace had she survived.
When he was seated on the throne, the statue remained in place as the dynasty's founder would bow to no one. However, a the head priest of the family temple brought Olha's portrait down the steps and bowed with the rest of the family.

Components and tools

The major components of the ceremony are the necklace, which is the main symbol of both the baejan's authority and the Shiroko Dynasty, and the two crowns. Along with this, the created tsirin is also necessary.

Primary Related Location

Gandenye