- Time Period: Pre World War I
- Institution: 1748
- Country: Sweden
Established on February 23, 1748, by King Frederick I, the Royal Order of the Polar Star (or Kungliga Nordstjärneorden in Swedish), alternatively known as the Royal Order of the North Star, stands as a Swedish order of chivalry.
Alongside the Order of the Sword and the Order of the Seraphim, it was introduced to honor individuals for their contributions to civic society, dedication to duty, advancements in science, literary accomplishments, scholarly pursuits, and the establishment of beneficial institutions, both within Sweden and internationally.
The Order has five degrees:
- Commander Grand Cross (KmstkNO)
- Commander 1st Class (KNO1kl)
- Commander (KNO)
- Knight 1st Class (RNO1kl/LNO1kl)
- Knight (RNO/LNO)
The Order of the Polar Star Design
The Order’s badge features a white enamelled Maltese Cross, rendered in silver for a Knight and gilt for a Knight 1st Class and higher ranks, with crowns adorning the spaces between the arms of the cross. The central disc, identical on both sides, showcases a blue enamel background with a white-enamelled five-pointed star encircled by the Order’s motto, Nescit occasum (“It knows no decline”). The badge is suspended from a royal crown.
The star of the Order takes the form of a silver Maltese cross, with a silver five-pointed star positioned at its center. For the Grand Cross, straight silver rays extend between the arms of the cross.
The ribbon of the Order is black. However, from 1975 to 2023, it featured a blue color with yellow stripes near its borders. From 2023 onwards, the black ribbon was reinstated.
