1.Japan’s Emperor Cannot Touch Money
The Japanese Emperor’s detachment from money is more than just a tradition—it’s a deeply rooted practice tied to the imperial family’s sacred status. Historically, the Emperor of Japan was considered a divine figure, directly descended from the sun goddess Amaterasu. This belief placed the Emperor above ordinary human affairs, including financial transactions. Even after World War II, when Emperor Hirohito renounced his divine status under the new constitution, the symbolic separation between the monarch and everyday commerce remained intact.
Today, Japan’s Imperial Household Agency manages all financial matters for the Emperor and his family. The government provides an annual budget of approximately 11.83 billion yen (110 million USD) to maintain the imperial household, covering official duties, palace upkeep, and ceremonial expenses. However, these funds are strictly controlled and cannot be used for personal wealth accumulation. Imperial family members are also prohibited from working in the private sector, further reinforcing their detachment from financial dealings.
This tradition highlights the Emperor’s role as a purely ceremonial and unifying figure rather than a political or economic actor. While modern monarchs in other nations may own private wealth or engage in financial transactions, Japan’s imperial system maintains this unique distinction, ensuring that the Emperor remains above material concerns.
2.The British Royal Family Weighs Themselves Before Christmas Dinner
Of all the peculiar traditions upheld by the British royal family, the Christmas weigh-in might be the most unexpected. This quirky custom requires royal family members and their guests to step on a set of antique scales both before and after their lavish Christmas feast. The goal? To ensure that everyone has indulged in the holiday meal to their heart’s content. Yes, gaining weight is actually encouraged—it serves as proof of a thoroughly enjoyable evening at Sandringham House, the royal family’s traditional holiday retreat.
The origins of this tradition date back to the early 1900s, when King Edward VII introduced it as a lighthearted way to ensure that his guests were well-fed and satisfied. Though it may seem intrusive by modern standards, the practice continues to this day, carried out with a sense of humor. The weigh-in is just one part of the royal family’s elaborate Christmas celebrations, which also include a German-inspired gift exchange on Christmas Eve and a formal holiday luncheon.
Interestingly, the British royals aren’t the only ones who have linked food consumption with holiday traditions. European aristocrats, particularly the Habsburgs, also kept a keen eye on their guests’ weight during festive gatherings, reflecting a broader historical fascination with feasting as a symbol of abundance and hospitality.
3.Thailand’s King Must Never Be Touched by Commoners
In Thailand, the monarchy is not just a political institution—it is a sacred entity deeply embedded in tradition, spirituality, and law. One of the most enduring customs is that commoners must never touch the king. This tradition stems from the belief that the Thai monarch is semi-divine, a figure whose status is far above that of ordinary citizens. The king referred to as “Phra Chao Yu Hua,” meaning “Lord Above One’s Head,” reinforcing the idea that he exists on a higher plane of existence than his subjects.
The origins of this practice date back to ancient Siam, when touching the king was not merely frowned upon—it was punishable by death. The severity of this rule was tragically demonstrated during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in the 19th century. His wife, Queen Sunanda Kumariratana, drowned in a boating accident because bystanders, bound by strict royal protocol, were forbidden from physically assisting her. Although King Chulalongkorn later reformed some of these customs, the deep reverence for the monarchy remained.
Even today, strict rules govern interactions with the Thai king. He is always seated higher than those around him, symbolizing his superior status. When addressing him, subjects must use a specialized form of speech and avoid direct eye contact. The tradition is further reinforced by Thailand’s lèse-majesté laws, which impose severe penalties—including up to 15 years in prison—for insulting or defaming the king. While modern Thailand has seen some relaxation in royal customs, the prohibition against touching the king remains an unshakable element of Thai culture, reflecting the profound reverence in which the monarchy is held.
4.The Sultan of Brunei’s Lavish Birthday Celebrations
Few monarchs celebrate their birthdays with as much grandeur as Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei. As one of the world’s wealthiest rulers, his birthday is not just a personal milestone—it’s a national event that blends royal extravagance with public participation. The celebrations, held annually on July 15, extend far beyond a single day, often lasting two weeks and including a mix of religious observances, military parades, and opulent feasts.
A key highlight is the Sultan’s public meet-and-greet, during which citizens and tourists alike are welcomed into the Istana Nurul Iman, the world’s largest residential palace. Guests are treated to lavish banquets, symbolizing the Sultan’s generosity and the nation’s prosperity. The festivities also feature a grand military parade, complete with gun salutes and fireworks, underscoring the monarchy’s deep ties to Brunei’s history and governance.
Perhaps the most extravagant celebration occurred in 1996, when the Sultan marked his 50th birthday with a private Michael Jackson concert for 60,000 attendees. The event, reportedly costing $27 million, also included a polo match with Prince Charles and a banquet where guests dined on caviar and champagne. Each attendee received a gold medal—just one example of the sheer opulence defining this royal tradition.
5.The Romanovs’ Superstition About Fabergé Eggs
For the Romanovs, Fabergé eggs weren’t just lavish Easter gifts—they were talismans of imperial fortune. It all began in 1885 when Tsar Alexander III commissioned the first of these jeweled masterpieces from famed goldsmith Peter Carl Fabergé as a gift for his wife, Empress Maria Feodorovna. The Hen Egg, as it was called, appeared simple on the outside—white enamel concealing a golden yolk, which in turn held a golden hen and a tiny ruby crown. But this wasn’t merely a display of opulence; it marked the start of a tradition that the Romanovs believed was tied to their dynasty’s fate.
Each year, Fabergé eggs became more elaborate, containing hidden surprises—miniature portraits, clockwork mechanisms, even tiny replicas of imperial palaces. Nicholas II, who succeeded his father, continued the tradition, presenting one egg annually to his mother and another to his wife, Alexandra. Over time, a superstition took hold: as long as the tradition remained unbroken, the Romanov dynasty would endure.
Then came World War I. With resources stretched thin, the eggs became less extravagant. In 1917, the revolution erupted, toppling the monarchy. The final two eggs, commissioned but never delivered, became eerie symbols of a dynasty’s downfall. To the superstitious, the broken tradition seemed prophetic—after all, the Romanovs met their tragic end in 1918. Today, these exquisite creations serve as haunting relics of a vanished empire, their legend as enduring as their craftsmanship.
