Order of the Polar Star

The North Star Medal ( sv. Kungliga Nordstjärneorden ) is the second-highest Order of Merit of the Kingdom of Sweden. He was endowed on 28 April 1748 by King Frederick I on his 72nd birthday. Previously he was also known as the black band.

Order of Merit

Originally the North Star Orden Civil Merit for outstanding merits mitbürgerliche, loyal service to the state and royal house as well as cultural, scientific and technical services to citizens and foreigners was awarded. Since the constitutional reform of 1975, the award will be awarded only to members of the Swedish royal family, as well as residing in Sweden foreigners and stateless persons who have used personally for Sweden and Swedish interests.

Order of classes

On October 14, 1844 Order in a supplement statutes into three classes and the second class was divided into two stages:

• Commanders Grand Cross with
• Commander, First Class
• Commander
• Knight

Commanders of the Grand Cross of the clergy could only be bishops, who were earlier Knights of the Order. Enlist in the habit the star only to the shell and not around the neck on a chain, as the commanders of the secular state. Commanders are the princes of the royal house and all Seraphinenordensritter. This class people could only gain their civil rank entitled Troman ( rather faithful ) was associated and which already had for another order.

The number of commanders, excluding the foreigners and the Seraphinenritter should not exceed 24 for the secular state and six for the clergy. The number of knights for the secular state was 50 and for the clergy 16 All the knights received a knighthood.

Order decoration

The religious character consists of a white cross with eight points and golden knobs with round, blue center plate. Then the pole star with five rays and the foreign exchange Nescit occasum is shown ( He knows no setting ). Between the wings of the cross crowns are attached, and is also on the cross such. The star is an eight-pointed cross of silver with rays in the angles and the polar star in the middle.

Carrying method

The Order was worn on a black belt by the commander - large crosses on the shoulder with a silver star, of the commanders, First Class at the neck and with star, of the commanders II class without a star, and of the knights on the left chest.

Since 1975 the band is blue with yellow mutual borders.

• Grand Cross
• Commander of 1st class
• Commander
• Knight 1st Class
• Knight 2nd class

The North Star Medal had a particular habit of Karmesinsamt, with food and petticoats of white satin on average by the King Gustav III. introduced court dress.

Others

All religious insignia are mandatorily redeemable upon the death of the owner.

Known awardees

See: winner of the North Star Order