In the New Testament, five crowns are promised by God to faithful Christians, to be given after Christ's return as King of kings. These crowns—glory, incorruption, life, rejoicing, and righteousness—raise questions about whether they are figurative or literal, separate rewards or aspects of the same crown, and if all Christians receive them. Two Greek words, stephanos and diadema, are translated as crown, with diadema symbolizing royal power, authority, or dignity, while stephanos often represents victory, appreciation, and success. The crown of glory, mentioned in I Peter 5:2-4, is a reward for those who shepherd God's flock willingly and as examples, receiving a crown that does not fade away when the Chief Shepherd appears. Glory, from the Greek doxa, signifies magnificence, excellence, and dignity, and God expects all to mature into leaders whose light shines before men to glorify their Father in heaven. The crown of rejoicing, noted in I Thessalonians 2:19, is tied to the joy of seeing Christian brethren in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ at His coming. This stephanos reflects victory and appreciation for labor and love shown in ministering to others, with God rewarding each according to their efforts in helping others toward salvation. The crown of righteousness, referenced in II Timothy 4:8, is promised by the Lord, the righteous Judge, to those who have loved His appearing. It involves pursuing righteousness through godly living, aligning with God's standards, and achieving victory over sin with Christ's help to receive this crown at His return.

The Crown Jewels of England, housed in the underground Jewel House beneath the Waterloo Barracks at the Tower of London, include magnificent symbols of royalty and authority. Among them, the Imperial State Crown, worn by the king or queen for the annual opening of Parliament and other state functions, is framed in gold with silver settings, adorned with 2,873 diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, and five rubies, including a notable ruby and sapphire. Weighing two pounds thirteen ounces, it features Edward the Confessor's sapphire, believed to date back to AD 1050, mounted in the cross atop the crown. Another significant piece, St. Edward's Crown, used for the coronation of every English monarch since AD 1269, is made of pure gold and various jewels, weighing just under five pounds. These crowns, displayed in a specially designed vault with heavy security, reflect the sparkling light onto the dark walls, captivating visitors with their dazzling beauty and historical significance.

The concept of crowns in the biblical narrative carries profound symbolic weight, representing various forms of victory and honor. The imperishable crown, as mentioned in I Corinthians 9:25, signifies an enduring reward for those who strive with discipline, contrasting with the perishable crowns awarded in ancient Greek games. Additionally, in Isaiah 62:3, the faithful are depicted as a crown of glory and a royal diadem in the hand of God, illustrating their esteemed position in His sight. The New Testament further describes a singular laurel of victory, a stephanos, in Revelation 3:11, where Jesus urges believers to hold fast to what they have, ensuring no one takes their crown. Moreover, Jesus Himself, at His return, will wear many diadems and bring rewards for each according to their work, as stated in Revelation 22:12.