by Scott Mehl
There are four orders which comprise the Orders of His Majesty The King in Sweden, however only two are currently still awarded. The first three were created at the same time, in 1748, by King Frederik I. The last, the Order of Vasa, was created in 1772 by King Gustav III. In 1974, a law was passed which restricts the conferrence of Swedish orders to “foreign citizens and stateless persons for personal service to Sweden or Swedish interests.” In addition, the King has the authority to grant the orders to members of the Royal Family.
The Order of the Seraphim
photo: Wikipedia
Originally established by King Fredrik I in 1748, the Order of the Seraphim is the senior order in Sweden. It is awarded in only one class – Knight – almost exclusively to members of the Swedish Royal Family and foreign heads of state.
The Collar of the Order is alternating blue-enameled patriarchal crosses and seraphim in gold.
The Badge of the Order is a gilt Maltese Cross, in white-enamel, with a patriarchal cross on the arms of the cross, and seraphim between them. The blue-enameled central disc bears the Christian symbol ‘IHS’ in white-enamel, surrounded by the Three Crowns of Sweden (in gold), and three nails representing those used in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The reverse bears, in white-enamel, the monogram of Frederik I, ‘FRS’. The entire badge is topped with a royal crown, in gold.
The Star of the Order is similar to the front of the badge, entirely in silver, with the same blue-enameled central disc.
The Sash of the Order is a pale blue, often referred to as ‘Seraphim blue’, and is worn over the right shoulder, with the badge suspended at the left hip.
The Order of the Polar Star
photo: Wikipedia
The Order of the Polar Star (sometimes referred to as the Order of the Northern Star) was also created in 1748 by King Frederik I. Prior to 1975, the order was granted for “civic merits, for devotion to duty, for science, literary, learned and useful works and for new and beneficial institutions.” Since 1975, it is only awarded to foreign citizens and members of the Swedish Royal Family. It is used most often for lesser members of foreign royal families, while the Order of the Seraphim is traditionally the order granted to the more senior members and heads of state.
The order is granted in five classes:
Commander Grand Cross – wears the badge on the collar, or on the sash, plus the star on the left chest.
Commander First Class – wears the badge on a necklet, plus the star on the left chest.
Commander – wears the badge on a necklet.
Knight First Class – wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.
Knight – wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.
The Collar of the Order is a gold chain, linking seven five-pointed stars, in white enamel, and seven monograms of King Frederik I (the letter ‘F’ back-to-back) in blue-enamel.
The Badge of the Order is a white-enameled Maltese Cross with crowns between the arms of the cross. It is in silver for the Knight class, and gilt for all other classes. A blue-enameled central disc bears a white-enameled five-pointed star, surrounded by the order’s motto ‘Necsit occasum’ (‘It knows no decline). The entire badge is topped by a royal crown in gold.
The Star of the Order is a Maltese Cross bearing a five-pointed star at the center. The Star for the Grand Cross class also has straight rays between the arms of the cross. The entire star is in silver.
The ribbon of the Order is blue with yellow stripes just inside either edge. Prior to 1975, the ribbon was black, but was changed to reflect the national colors of Sweden. However, it was decided in 2013 that Swedish princes would wear the original black ribbon for their necklets.
The Order of the Sword
photo: Wikipedia
The Order of the Sword is the last of the three orders created in 1748 by King Frederik I. Although no longer awarded, it is still in existence and is the third highest order in Sweden. The Order of the Sword was originally established to recognize bravery and outstanding military service, and later became a standard form of recognition for length of military service. Initially, there were 3 grades, and in 1788, King Gustav III added 2 additional grades. Later, an emblem was added for junior officers (The Badge of the Sword), and a medal, for non-commissioned officers. And in 1952, a special medal was created – the War Cross of the Order of the Sword – in gold and silver, which was awarded only in wartime.
Commander Grand Cross – wears the badge on the collar, or on the sash, with the star on the left chest.
Commander First Class – wears the badge on a necklet, plus the star on the left chest.
Commander – wears the badge on a necklet.
Knight First Class – wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.
Knight – wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.
The Collar of the Order is a gold chain connecting nine swords with belts, in blue enamel, and nine shields.
The Badge of the Order is comprised of a white-enameled Maltese Cross (set at an angle to appear as an ‘X’), with crowns between the arms of the cross. The whole is in silver for the Knight class, and in gilt for the other classes. A central disc of blue-enamel bears an upright sword surrounded by the Three Crowns of Sweden, all in gold. The reverse, also in blue-enamel, shows the same upright sword going through a wreath, with the motto of the order ‘Pro Patria’ (‘For Fatherland’). Atop the badge is a gold royal crown, with blue-enameled crossed swords between the crown and the Maltese Cross. In addition, the two highest classes also include blue-enameled crossed swords on the sides and bottom of the Maltese Cross.
The Badge of the Sword is similar to the Knight’s badge of the Order, without the white-enameling on the Maltese Cross. Also, the reverse of the disc is all in silver with no enameling.
The Star of the Order is similar to the badge, however, the Maltese Cross is in silver and is not offset in the ‘X’ shape. The Star for the Grand Cross class also includes golden crowns and short silver rays between the arms of the cross.
The Sash of the Order is of yellow with blue stripes just inside each edge, again representing the national colors of Sweden.
The Order of Vasa
photo: Wikipedia
The Royal Order of Vasa is the last of the four orders in Sweden. Original established by King Gustav III in 1772 to recognize service in the fields of agriculture, mining, and commerce, it was unrestricted as far as status of birth or education and could be awarded to anyone. Since 1974, the order has officially be classified as “resting”, meaning it is no longer awarded, but remains in existence. There are five classes.
Commander Grand Cross – wears the badge on the collar, or on the sash, with the star on the left chest.
Commander First Class – wears the badge on a necklet, with the star on the left chest.
Commander – wears the badge on a necklet.
Knight First Class/Member First Class* – wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.
Knight/Member* – wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.
In addition, there is a Badge of Vasa and Medal of Vasa
(* Men are granted the title ‘Knight’, while women and clergy are given the title ‘Member’)
The Collar of the Order is gold, linking alternating links of sheaves (the emblem of King Gustav Vasa), white-enameled nettle leaves bearing a shield (the emblem of Holstein), and crowned blue shields bearing the Three Crowns of Sweden.
The Badge of the Order is a white-enameled Maltese Cross (in silver for Knight, in gilt for the others); with crowns appearing between the arms of the cross. The central disc, in black enamel, bears a sheaf in gold, surrounded by a ring of red enamel with the words – ‘Gustaf 3. Instiktare 1772’ (Instituted by Gustaf III 1772). Atop the badge is a royal crown.
The Badge of Vasa is similar to the Knight’s badge of the Order, however, there is no white-enameling on the Maltese Cross.
The Star of the Order is a Maltese Cross bearing a silver sheaf in the center. For the Grand Cross class, the nettle leaf emblem from the Collar appears between the arms of the cross. The entire star is in silver.
The Sash of the Order is green and is used for the various ribbons and necklets as well.
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