by Scott Mehl © Unofficial Royalty 2012
The two Royal Orders of Chivalry in Denmark are The Order of the Elephant (Elefantordenen) and The Order of Dannebrog (Dannebrogordenen). The granting of either Order is solely at the pleasure of the Sovereign, unlike some other countries where they are granted on the advice of the government.
The Order of the Elephant
Although the statutes defining this order were established in 1693 by King Christian V, its history dates back to the 15th century. It is believed to originate with a religious group that conferred a similar emblem to members of the Danish aristocracy during the reign of King Christian I (1450-1481). This consisted of a badge of the Virgin Mary holding her Son within a crescent moon, surrounded by the rays of the sun, hanging from a collar of links in the form of elephants. After the religious group died out, King Frederick II continued to award a badge of an elephant, with his profile on its side. This is believed to have been inspired by the chaplain’s badge from the religious group, which was also in the shape of an elephant. In 1693, King Christian V established the statutes for the Order as we know it today. These statutes were amended in 1959, allowing women to be members. There is only one class – Knight of the Order of the Elephant.
As with most orders of chivalry, the Danish sovereign is the head of the order. While at one time the order was granted primarily to foreign royalty and Danish noblemen, it is now granted primarily to members of the Danish Royal Family and foreign Heads-of-State. On rare occasions, it has been granted to a commoner.
The Badge of the Order is a white-enameled gold elephant, with a cross on one side, and the reigning Sovereign’s monogram on the other. The elephant holds a tower on it’s back, and a Moor holding a spear on its neck. The badge is primarily worn suspended from the Sash of the order. This sash, made of light blue silk moiré, is worn over the left shoulder, with the badge resting on the right hip.
The Star of the Order is an eight-point silver star, with a cross of diamonds on a red disc. This is surrounded by a silver wreath of laurel leaves. The Star is worn on the left breast whenever the sash is worn.
The Collar of the Order is made of gold, in alternating links of towers and elephants. This is only worn on two occasions every year – the New Year’s Court and the Sovereign’s birthday.
The Order of Dannebrog
Originally instituted by King Christian V in 1671, the Order of Dannebrog was granted official statutes in 1693. In the early 19th century, these statutes were amended to model the French Legion of Honour, and the Order was broken down into four classes. The First, Second, and Third Classes are used to recognize Danish citizens for military or civil service to Denmark. There is also a special class with the rank of Grand Commander – which is only awarded to Royals with ties to the Danish Royal House, who are already members of the Order of the Elephant.
Special Class
Grand Commander – Men wear the badge on a cravat; women on a bow. Both wear the Star on the left breast.
First Class
Grand Cross – the badge is worn suspended from the collar or on the sash with the Star on the left breast
Second Class
Commander 1st Class – the breast cross is worn on the left chest. Men also wear the badge on a neck ribbon.
Commander – Men wear the badge on a neck ribbon, women on a bow.
Third Class
Knight 1st Class – men wear the badge on a ribbon; women on a bow, with rosette, on the left chest
Knight – men wear the badge on a ribbon; women on a bow, on the left chest
The Badge of the Order is a white-enameled gold Dannebrog cross (or silver for the 3rd Class), edged in red, with a crown and the monogram of the reigning Sovereign. The face of the badge has the inscription Gud og Kongen (God and King), with the monogram of King Christian V in the center. On the reverse are the monograms of Kings Valdemar II, Christian V, and Frederik VI as well as their years of accession – 1219, 1671, and 1808. Depending on the class, the badge is worn suspended from the collar, on a sash or ribbon of white with red borders. The sash is worn over the left shoulder, with the badge resting on the right hip.
The Star of the Order is an eight-point star with the Dannebrog cross at the center.
The Breast Cross is similar to the Badge, with the white enameling replaced by faceted silver, and without the crowns and monograms.
The Collar of the Order is made of gold, in alternating links of the crowned ciphers of Kings Valdemar II and Christian V.
In addition, there is the Cross of Honor of the Order of Dannebrog. This is worn by members of the Royal Family and can be awarded to others who already hold the Order of Dannebrog. The badge, similar to that of the order, is all silver and worn on a ribbon or bow with rosette on the left chest.
This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.
Links