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Royal Order of the Polar Star

Collar of the Order of the Polar Star and the star of the order

The Order of the Polar Star (Swedish Nordstjärneorden) is a Swedish order of chivalry created by King Frederick I of Sweden on 23 February 1748, together with the Order of the Sword and the Order of the Seraphim.

The Order of the Polar Star was until 1975 intended as a reward for Swedish and foreign "civic merits, for devotion to duty, for science, literary, learned and useful works and for new and beneficial institutions".

Its motto is, and can still be seen on the blue enameled centre of the badge, Nescit Occasum. This is latin and means "it knows no decline". This is to prove that Sweden is as constant as a never setting star. The Orders colour is black. This was chosen so that when wearing the black sash, the white, blue and golden cross would stand out and shine as the light of enlightenment from the black surface. Women and clergy men are not called knight or commander but simply as Member (Ledamot). After the reorganization of the orders in 1975 the order is only awarded to foreigners and members of the royal family.

The Order currently has five degrees:

• Commander Grand Cross (KmstkNO) - Wears the badge on a collar (chain) or on a sash on the right shoulder, plus the star on the left chest;
• Commander 1st Class (KNO1kl) - Wears the badge on a necklet, plus the star on the left chest;
• Commander (KNO) - Wears the badge on a necklet;
• Knight 1st Class (RNO1kl/LNO1kl) - Wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest;
• Knight (RNO/LNO) - Wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.

This order also has a medal, "the Polar Star Medal".

• The collar of the Order is in gold, consists of seven white-enamelled five-pointed star and seven crowned back-to-back monogram "F" (for King Frederick I of Sweden) in blue enamel, joined by chains.

• The badge of the Order is a white enamelled Maltese Cross, in silver for the Officer class and in gilt for Officer 1st Class and above; crowns appear between the arms of the cross. The central disc, which is identical on both sides, is in blue enamel, with a white-enamelled five-pointed star surrounded by the motto "Nescit occasum" (It knows no decline). The badge is topped by a crown.

• The star of the Order is a silver Maltese Cross, with a silver five-pointed star at the centre. That of Grand Cross also has straight silver rays between the arms of the cross.

• the ribbon of the Order is black, this colour was chosen so that the white cross would stand in stark contrast to the black, it is pure symbolism and it is just like knowledge enlightens the world!; since 1975 the ribbon is blue with yellow edges.

• Swedish Royal Court: Orders and medals