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{{Italic title}}
{{for|the Polish chess player|Gersz Salwe}}
{{Use shortened footnotes|date=October 2024}}
[[File:-Mindon Min-2.JPG|thumb|250px|''Salwe'' on [[Mindon Min]]'s shirt]]

'''''Salwe''''' ({{langx|my|စလွယ်}}, {{IPA|my|səlwɛ̀|}}) are issues for Burmese [[Order (decoration)|orders]]. A ''salwe'' is a shoulder-belt formed with metal chains, normally fashioned in gold or silver, which are fastened in four places, in shields or bosses, and worn over the shoulder like an officer's sash.{{sfn|Scott|Hardiman|1900|p=134}}

The Burmese monarchy used the ''salwe'' was purely secular, as it was used to recognize merit and service to the state.{{sfn|Scott|Hardiman|1900|p=134}}

==Etymology and origins==

The [[Burmese language]] word ''salwe'' {{lang|my|စလွယ်}} is a [[Corruption (linguistics)|corruption]] of the Hindi term ''janeu'' (जनेऊ).{{sfn|MLC|1993}} ''[[Upanayana|Janeu]]'' (also known as ''upanayana'') in Hindi, refers to a sacred investiture or Brahminical cord found in the higher castes of Hindu society.{{sfn|Scott|Hardiman|1900|p=135}}

It is of ancient [[Bamar|Burmese]] origin.{{sfn|Scott|Hardiman|1900|p=134}} The ''salwe'' is referenced in the ''Salwedin Sadan'' (Book of the Order), a Burmese text that states the number of ''salwe'' cords that members of each of the four [[Varna (Hinduism)|Hindu ''varna''s]] wore:
#Rulers (''[[Kshatriya|Khattiya]]'') - 9 cords{{sfn|Scott|Hardiman|1900|p=134}}
#Ritualists (''[[Brahmin|Brahmana]]'') - 6 cords{{sfn|Scott|Hardiman|1900|p=134}}
#Merchants (''[[Vaishya|Vessa]]'') - 1-3 cords{{sfn|Scott|Hardiman|1900|p=134}}
#Commoners (''[[Shudra|Sudda]]'') - none{{sfn|Scott|Hardiman|1900|p=134}}

==Usage==
[[File:National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka - National costume of Burma - Mandalay, Burma.jpg|thumb|''Salwe'' as seen at the National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka]]
The number of strands or threads indicate rank in the order.{{sfn|Scott|Hardiman|1900|p=134}} The ''salwe'' was worn as a symbol of high character, to maintain the purity of character of one's family or caste.{{sfn|Scott|Hardiman|1900|p=134}}

During the Konbaung Dynasty, high-ranking ministers with immunity from various forms of execution (''thetdawshay'') also wore ''salwe'' of 18 strands.{{sfn|Scott|Hardiman|1900|p=134}} The following is a list of Konbaung-era grades and corresponding number of ''salwe'' strands conferred:

{|class=wikitable
|-
|+Grades during the [[Konbaung dynasty]]{{sfn|Scott|Hardiman|1900|p=134}}
! Grade !! Number of strands
|-
| King || 24
|-
| [[Uparaja|Crown Prince]] || 21
|-
| Shan [[Sawbwa]]s, Princes of the Blood || 18
|-
| Shan Myosas, other Royal Family Members || 15
|-
| High-ranking Ministers (''Mugyi'', ''Matgyi'') || 12
|-
| Lower-ranking Ministers (''Mulat'', ''Matlat'', ''Mu-nge'', ''Matnge'') || 3-9
|-
|}

==Current usage==

The following ''salwes'' are currently issued by the [[Government of Burma]]:
*[[Pyidaungsu Sithu Thingaha]]
*[[Thiri Thudhamma Thingaha]]

==References==
{{commonscat|Salwe}}
{{reflist}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite encyclopedia
  | ref       = {{harvid|MLC|1993}}
  | year=1993
  | encyclopedia=Myanmar–English Dictionary
  | publisher=Myanmar Language Commission
  | url = http://sealang.net/burmese
  | isbn=1-881265-47-1
  | title=SEAlang Library Burmese Lexicography
 }}
*{{cite book |title=Gazetteer of Upper Burma and the Shan States |last1=Scott |first1=James George |first2=John Percy |last2=Hardiman |year=1900 |publisher=Government of Burma|volume=2 |location=Rangoon |url=http://google.com/books?id=n7oMAAAAIAAJ}}
{{refend}}

[[Category:Culture of Myanmar]]
[[Category:Orders, decorations, and medals of Myanmar]]


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