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The Order of the Sword (Sweden)

The Order of the Sword is a Swedish order of chivalry and military decoration established in 1748 as an award for bravery and long service.

The Royal Order of the Sword, officially known as the Royal Order of the Sword (or Kungliga Svärdsorden in Swedish), was established as an order of chivalry and military decoration by King Frederick I on February 23, 1748. It was created alongside the Order of the Seraphim and the Order of the Polar Star. The order’s motto, “Pro Patria,” meaning “For Fatherland,” is expressed in Latin.

Initially intended as a recognition for bravery and exceptional long or meritorious service among officers, the Order of the Sword eventually evolved into a customary award for military officers upon completing a certain number of years in service. Originally comprising three grades—Knight, Commander, and Commander Grand Cross—the order later expanded its classification into multiple classes.

On December 20, 2022, the Swedish Government issued a new regulation that overturned the 1974 restriction, thereby reinstating eligibility for Swedish citizens to receive the Royal Orders. This reactivation of the Order of the Sword, alongside the Order of Vasa, took effect on February 1, 2023.

The Grades of the Order of the Sword

In 1788, after King Frederick I established the three aforementioned orders, King Gustav III introduced two new grades of the Order of the Sword. They were both exclusively reserved for wartime conferment:

  • Knight Grand Cross First Class: The decoration was conferred upon division commanders holding the rank of at least major general in recognition of their significant triumphs in battle. Even the monarch could only don the insignia of Knight Grand Cross with the unanimous approval of his officers, as exemplified by Gustavus III, Charles XIII, and Charles XIV John.
  • Knight Grand Cross: The cross looks similar to the Knight’s cross, but is as large as the Grand Cross badge.

During peacetime, the Order of the Sword had five classes:

  •  Commander Grand Cross 
  •  Commander 1st Class 
  •  Commander 
  •  Knight 1st Class 
  •  Knight 

The Order of the Sword Design

The insignia of the Order is a white-enamelled Maltese Cross arranged in a saltire (X-shaped) formation, rendered in silver for the Knight class and in gold for the Knight 1st Class and higher ranks. Gold open crowns are positioned between the arms of the cross.

On the obverse central medallion, an upright gold sword is flanked by three gold crowns against a blue enameled background, while the reverse central medallion features an intersecting gold sword and laurel wreath, accompanied by the Latin inscription “Pro Patria” (For Fatherland) on a blue enameled backdrop.

Across the opening between the upper arms of the cross at the top of the badge, a pair of crossed gold swords in blue enamelled scabbards with downward-turned blades is depicted. Additionally, in the badges of the two highest classes, an upright gold and blue sword spans the openings at the sides of the cross, along with a pair of crossed gold and blue swords with downward-turned blades across the opening between the lower arms of the cross at the bottom of the badge. 

The badge is suspended from a gold and enamelled royal crown. 

The Order of the Seraphim

The Order of the Seraphim is a Swedish order of chivalry established in 1748, originally to supervisors of the Seraphim Hospital.

The Royal Order of the Seraphim, known in Swedish as Kungliga Serafimerorden, was established by King Frederick I on February 23, 1748, along with the Order of the Sword and the Order of the Polar Star.

The order, named after the Seraphim, a category of angels, is the highest order of chivalry in Sweden. It consists of a single class, conferring the title of Knight (referred to as Member for women and Member of the Cloth for clergymen).

In 1975, as part of a reorganization of Swedish orders, appointments of Swedish citizens to the various orders ceased (except for foreign heads of state). In 1995, revisions to the law allowed for conferrals upon members of the royal family and on December 20, 2022, the Swedish Government issued a new regulation repealing the 1974 restriction, thereby once again permitting conferrals of the Royal Orders to Swedish citizens, effective from February 1, 2023.

The History of the Order of the Seraphim

Upon its establishment in 1748, the knights of the Order of thr Seraphim were tasked with overseeing the major hospitals and mental asylums in Sweden, notably the Seraphim Hospital in Stockholm, which remained a prominent medical institution until its closure in 1980.

However, as the 19th century progressed, this obligation became obsolete due to the establishment of professional boards of physicians and other experts, rendering the supervision by the Knights of the Seraphim unnecessary.

The Order of the Seraphim Design

The emblem of the Order features a white-enamelled gold Maltese Cross, with a gold patriarchal cross adorning each arm and gold seraphim positioned between the arms, their wings encompassing the central medallion.

On the obverse medallion, blue enamel serves as the backdrop for a white-enamelled “IHS” Christogram, flanked by three gold crowns above and representations of the three nails used in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ below. The reverse medallion, also in blue enamel, bears the white-enamelled letters “FRS” (Fredericus, Rex Sueciae, Frederick King of Sweden), honoring the Order’s founder. The emblem is suspended from a royal crown crafted from gold and enamel. 

The star of the Order mirrors the design of the badge’s front side, excluding the royal crown. However, it is entirely crafted from silver, with the central medallion enameled like that on the badge but larger in size.

The ribbon is pale blue, a hue referred to in Sweden as seraphim blue. 

The Cross of Valor (Togo)

The Cross of Valor is a Togolese decoration established in 1988 and awarded for acts of valor or wounds during war or security operations.

  • Time Period: Post-WW2
  • Institution: 27 July 1988
  • Country: Togo

The Cross of Valor is a Togolese decoration established in 1988 (Decreee n°88-131) and bestowed upon military personnel who have demonstrated acts of bravery or have been injured during warfare or public security operations.

In exceptional circumstances, civilians who have shown exceptional valor during military operations may also receive this decoration.

The Order of Academic Palms (Togo)

The Order of Academic Palms is a Togolese decoration awarded for significant contributions to the national education system.

  • Time Period: Post-WW2
  • Institution: 25 June 1984
  • Country: Togo

The Order of Academic Palms is a Togolese decoration established on 25 June 1984 and awarded for significant contributions to the national education system.

The order has three classes.

The National Order of Merit (Togo)

The National Order of Merit is a Togolese decoration awarded for distinguished service in the public, private, or military.

  • Time Period: Post-WW2
  • Institution: 26 March 1973
  • Country: Togo

The National Order of Merit is a Togolese decoration established in 1973 and awarded for distinguished service in the public, private, or military.

The order has five classes:

  • Grand Cross
  • Grand Officer
  • Commander
  • Officer
  • Knight

The Order of the Republic of Tunisia

The Order of the Republic of Tunisia is a decoration awarded to those who have contributed to the establishment of the Republic.

  • Time Period: Post-WW2
  • Institution: 16 March 1959
  • Country: Tunisia

The Order of the Republic of Tunisia is a decoration awarded to those who have contributed to the establishment of the Republic, the strengthening of its institutions, and the development of the regime.

The order was established on 16 March 1959 and can be given to both Tunisians and foreigners.

It has five classes:

  • Grand Cordon
  • Grand Officer
  • Commander
  • Officer
  • Knight

Order of the Republic of Tunisia Design

The insignia is a cross struck in silver and enameled. The ribbon is green with two red stripes on the sides.

The Order of the Lion of Malawi

The Order of the Lion of Malawi is the highest state order and the second-highest honor bestowed by the government of Malawi.

  • Time Period: Post-WW2
  • Institution: July 1966
  • Country: Malawi

The Order of the Lion of Malawi is the highest state order and the second-highest honor bestowed by the government of Malawi. 

The Order was established by President Hastings Kamuzu Banda in 1967 and held the distinction of being the second-highest honor conferred by the government of the Republic of Malawi during Banda’s presidential tenure (1966-94). It comprised five classes along with a medal, recognizing individuals “For distinguished and outstanding services to the people of Malawi.”

Banda unveiled the inception of the order alongside several other new accolades in July 1966, concurrent with Malawi’s transition to a republic. This proclamation took place in Zomba, then the capital of Malawi.

Both Malawian civilians and military personnel, as well as foreign nationals, were eligible for consideration for the order. However, in 2008, following three years of review, the Malawian government opted to deactivate the Order of the Lion, though existing appointees retained the privilege of wearing the insignia corresponding to their grade.

Order of the Lion Design

The insignia of the Order of the Lion takes the form of a cross, showcasing a central medallion depicting the visage of a lion, encircled by a red banner bearing the Malawian motto, “Unity and Freedom.” This design is consistent across the medals of higher grades within the order, where the lion medallion is overlaid onto a green enameled cross.

The ribbon of the order is adorned in red, flanked by two golden stripes running along each side.

Recipients of the Grand Commander and Grand Officer distinctions also receive a badge, which incorporates the lion medallion set against stars. The Grand Commander’s badge features twelve rays extending between the points of a twelve-pointed star, while the Grand Officer’s badge displays a ten-pointed star with alternating lengths, set atop an inverted pentagon.

The National Order of the Republic of Ivory Coast

The National Order of the Republic of Ivory Coast is the country’s highest state honor and awarded for high distinction.

  • Time Period: Post-WW2
  • Institution: 10 April 1961
  • Country: Ivory Coast

Established on April 10, 1961, the National Order of the Republic of Ivory Coast commemorates the independence of the country, formerly a French colony, achieved in 1960.

Serving as the nation’s premier state distinction, it is bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service to the state.

Notably, the prestigious collar of the Order is exclusively conferred upon foreign heads of state as a symbol of diplomatic recognition and honor.

The National Order of the Republic of Ivory Coast Design

The Order’s medal features a white-enamelled cross of Malta, outlined in red, encircled by a wreath of laurel leaves in green. In the center of the cross lies a gold medallion depicting a frontal elephant, encircled by another laurel wreath, all set within a green-enamelled ring inscribed with “REPUBLIQUE DE COTE D’IVOIRE” (“Republic of Ivory Coast”) in gold.

Similarly, the plaque exhibits the identical design as the medal, with the cross positioned atop a silver radiating star.

The ribbon accompanying the order is a deep shade of orange.

The Order of Mono

The Order of Mono is the highest order of chivalry in Togo. It is conferred upon Togolese civilians and military personnel.

  • Time Period: Post-WW2
  • Institution: 2 September 1961
  • Country: Togo

Founded in Togo in 1961, the Order of Mono is awarded for distinguished service to the nation and contributions to the promotion of national unity, democracy, and development. It is named after the Mono River, which flows through Togo and forms part of its border with Benin.

The Order of Mono was established on September 2, 1961, by President Sylvanus Olympio. It has five grades:

  • Grand Cross
  • Grand Officer
  • Commander
  • Officer
  • Knight

Only a limited number of Togolese citizens can be appointed to, and hold, each grade at any one time. The grade of Knight is limited to 1000 Togolese, 500 for Officer, 100 for Commander, 50 for Grand Officer and 10 for Grand Cross. Honorary awards, given to foreign nationals, do not count towards these limits.

The Order of Mono Design

Crafted in silver gilt with white and green enamels. On the obverse side, a circular central medallion displays the arms of the Togolese Republic, encircled by a green enamel ring inscribed with “Republique Togolaise” (Togolese Republic).

The reverse side features a plain gilt surface with a circular central medallion bearing the inscription “Travail Liberté Patrie” (Work, Liberty, Country).