In a traditional quinceañera, a tiara is placed on the honoree’s head.
The tiara symbolizes a transition into young womanhood and is often presented during a formal ceremonial moment. It may be coordinated with the honoree’s dress, jewelry, and other accessories.
The custom is sometimes described as a crowning. In English, “tiara” is the most specific common answer, although people may casually call the item a crown. A tiara is generally a jeweled or decorative head ornament rather than a full royal crown.
Quinceañera customs vary by family, country, religion, and budget. Some celebrations retain the tiara ceremony, while others omit it or replace it with a symbolic gift. The headpiece is separate from the traditional shoe-change ceremony, which is another frequently recognized quinceañera ritual.