The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (German: Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, or Bundesverdienstorden, BVO)[2] is the only federal decoration of Germany. It is awarded for special achievements in political, economic, cultural, intellectual or honorary fields. It was created by the first President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Theodor Heuss, on 7 September 1951. Colloquially, the decorations of the different classes of the Order are also known as the Federal Cross of Merit (Bundesverdienstkreuz).
Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
Special Class of the Grand Cross (reserved for heads of state)
Type
Order of merit with one special and eight regular classes
It has been awarded to over 200,000 individuals in total, both Germans and foreigners. Since the 1990s, the number of annual awards has declined from over 4,000, first to around 2,300–2,500 per year, and now under 2,000, with a low of 1752 in 2011. Since 2013, women have made up a steady 30–35% of recipients.[3]
Most of the German federal states (Länder) have each their own order of merit as well, with the exception of the Free and Hanseatic Cities of Bremen and Hamburg, which reject any orders (by old tradition their citizens, particularly former or present senators, will refuse any decoration in the form of an order, the most famous example being former ChancellorHelmut Schmidt).[4]
Desiring to visibly express recognition and gratitude to deserving men and women of the German people and of foreign countries, on the second anniversary of the Federal Republic of Germany, I establish the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. It is awarded for achievements that served the rebuilding of the country in the fields of political, socio-economic, and intellectual activity, and is intended to be an award for all those whose work contributes to the peaceful rise of the Federal Republic of Germany.
In 2022 Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier introduced a gender quota which demands a minimum of 40% of nominees to the order to be women.
Classes
The Order comprises four groups with eight regular classes and one special (medal) class (hereafter enumerated in English):[6]
Grand Cross special class (Sonderstufe des Großkreuzes); the highest class of the Order reserved for heads of state.
Grand Cross 1st class, special issue (Großkreuz in besonderer Ausführung); equivalent to Grand Cross 1st class, but with laurel wreath design (awarded only twice in history, to Konrad Adenauer and Helmut Kohl)
Grand Cross 1st class (Großkreuz); Grand Cross
Great Cross of Merit (Großes Verdienstkreuz)
Grand Cross (Großes Verdienstkreuz mit Stern und Schulterband); Great Cross with Star and Sash
Knight Commander's Cross (Großes Verdienstkreuz mit Stern); Great Cross with Star
Commander's Cross (Großes Verdienstkreuz); Great Cross of Merit
Cross of Merit (Verdienstkreuz)
Officer's Cross (Verdienstkreuz 1. Klasse); Cross of Merit 1st Class
Cross (Verdienstkreuz am Bande); Member
Medal of Merit (Verdienstmedaille)
Medal (Verdienstmedaille)
The President of the Federal Republic holds the Grand Cross special classex officio. It is awarded to him in a ceremony by the President of the Bundestag, attended by the Chancellor of Germany, the President of the Bundesrat, and the Supreme Court President. Other than the German president, only a foreign head of state and their spouse can be awarded with this highest class. There is also the provision of awarding the Grand Cross 1st class in a "special issue" with laurel wreath design (Großkreuz in besonderer Ausführung), in which the central medallion with the black eagle is surrounded by a stylized laurel wreath in relief. This Grand Cross 1st class, special issue has been awarded so far only twice, to former German chancellors Konrad Adenauer and Helmut Kohl.[7]
Except for the lowest class, the medal, the badge is the same for all classes, but with slightly different versions for men and women (slightly smaller badge and ribbon for women):
The badge for the Member and Officer classes however are only enamelled on one side, and flat on the reverse. The badge of the Order is made up of a golden four-armed cross enamelled in red, with a central gold disc bearing a black enamelled German federal eagle (Bundesadler).
The star is a golden star with straight rays, its size and points vary according to class, with the badge superimposed upon it. An interesting fact about the stars, of which no less than four grades use one, is that they all have the same basic shape as various other breast stars from German history.[8]
8-pointed golden Star: Grand Cross special class - the same shape as the Prussian Order of the Black Eagle
6-pointed golden Star: Grand Cross 1st class (and special issue design if golden oak crown between the cross branches around the medallion) - the same shape as the Third Reich Order of the German Eagle
4-pointed golden Star: Grand Cross (Grand Cross of Merit with Star and Sash) - the same shape as the Third Reich Social Welfare Decoration
silver Square-upon-point: Knight Commander (Grand Officer) - the same shape as the Grand Cross of the Pour le Mérite
The reasoning behind this is not clear. It is not known if this is deliberate or coincidence, as the tools used to make the stars were in short supply after the war, and using stamping dies that were readily available and could be reused or acquired from other manufacturers would have been a good way of cutting costs and simplifying production in a Germany only just starting to experience the Wirtschaftswunder. It is of course possible that this could have been deliberate, and a way to celebrate German history in the design of the new honour for the Federal Republic. This is unlikely however as two stars represent decorations awarded during the Third Reich, and the other two are of Prussian origin. Prussia itself had only been recently abolished and the legacy of so called "Prussian militarism" was not something openly celebrated in the new Federal Republic of Germany.
The riband of the Order is made up of the colours of the German flag. The pattern is a large central band of red, edged on both sides in a smaller band of gold-black-gold.[9]
Gallery
Insignia of the Grand Cross special class
Insignia of the Grand Cross 1st class
Badge and riband of the class "Grand Cross" (without showing the star)
Star of the class "Grand Cross"
Star of the class "Knight Commander's Cross"
Badge suspended on neck riband of the class "Commander's Cross"
Medal of Merit, the lowest class of the Order
Certificate of Bestowal
Foreign head of state Queen Elizabeth II with the Grand Cross special class, 1992 visit in Brühl (Rhineland), Germany
The gold foil German Bundesadler found on the inner lid of the Order
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Official website
Classes of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany with their official French, English, Spanish and Russian translations (PDF)
Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany brochure (in German)
(in German)
January 31, 2023
order, merit, federal, republic, germany, german, verdienstorden, bundesrepublik, deutschland, bundesverdienstorden, only, federal, decoration, germany, awarded, special, achievements, political, economic, cultural, intellectual, honorary, fields, created, fir. The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany German Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland or Bundesverdienstorden BVO 2 is the only federal decoration of Germany It is awarded for special achievements in political economic cultural intellectual or honorary fields It was created by the first President of the Federal Republic of Germany Theodor Heuss on 7 September 1951 Colloquially the decorations of the different classes of the Order are also known as the Federal Cross of Merit Bundesverdienstkreuz Order of Merit of theFederal Republic of GermanySpecial Class of the Grand Cross reserved for heads of state TypeOrder of merit with one special and eight regular classesCountryFederal Republic of GermanyPresented bythe President of GermanyEligibilityCivilian and military personnelEstablished7 September 1951 7 September 1951 Total260 429 as of January 10 2021 1 Websitebundespraesident deGrand Cross Special ClassGrand Cross 1st Class Special IssueGrand Cross 1st ClassGrand CrossKnight CommanderCommanderOfficerMember MedalRibbon bars of the Order of MeritIt has been awarded to over 200 000 individuals in total both Germans and foreigners Since the 1990s the number of annual awards has declined from over 4 000 first to around 2 300 2 500 per year and now under 2 000 with a low of 1752 in 2011 Since 2013 women have made up a steady 30 35 of recipients 3 Most of the German federal states Lander have each their own order of merit as well with the exception of the Free and Hanseatic Cities of Bremen and Hamburg which reject any orders by old tradition their citizens particularly former or present senators will refuse any decoration in the form of an order the most famous example being former Chancellor Helmut Schmidt 4 Contents 1 History 2 Classes 3 Insignia 4 Gallery 5 Recipients 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksHistory EditThe order was established on 7 September 1951 by the decree of Federal President Theodor Heuss 5 Signed by Heuss German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and Minister of the Interior Robert Lehr the decree states Desiring to visibly express recognition and gratitude to deserving men and women of the German people and of foreign countries on the second anniversary of the Federal Republic of Germany I establish the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany It is awarded for achievements that served the rebuilding of the country in the fields of political socio economic and intellectual activity and is intended to be an award for all those whose work contributes to the peaceful rise of the Federal Republic of Germany In 2022 Federal President Frank Walter Steinmeier introduced a gender quota which demands a minimum of 40 of nominees to the order to be women Classes EditThe Order comprises four groups with eight regular classes and one special medal class hereafter enumerated in English 6 Grand Cross German Grosskreuz Grand Cross special class Sonderstufe des Grosskreuzes the highest class of the Order reserved for heads of state Grand Cross 1st class special issue Grosskreuz in besonderer Ausfuhrung equivalent to Grand Cross 1st class but with laurel wreath design awarded only twice in history to Konrad Adenauer and Helmut Kohl Grand Cross 1st class Grosskreuz Grand Cross Great Cross of Merit Grosses Verdienstkreuz Grand Cross Grosses Verdienstkreuz mit Stern und Schulterband Great Cross with Star and Sash Knight Commander s Cross Grosses Verdienstkreuz mit Stern Great Cross with Star Commander s Cross Grosses Verdienstkreuz Great Cross of Merit Cross of Merit Verdienstkreuz Officer s Cross Verdienstkreuz 1 Klasse Cross of Merit 1st Class Cross Verdienstkreuz am Bande Member Medal of Merit Verdienstmedaille Medal Verdienstmedaille The President of the Federal Republic holds the Grand Cross special class ex officio It is awarded to him in a ceremony by the President of the Bundestag attended by the Chancellor of Germany the President of the Bundesrat and the Supreme Court President Other than the German president only a foreign head of state and their spouse can be awarded with this highest class There is also the provision of awarding the Grand Cross 1st class in a special issue with laurel wreath design Grosskreuz in besonderer Ausfuhrung in which the central medallion with the black eagle is surrounded by a stylized laurel wreath in relief This Grand Cross 1st class special issue has been awarded so far only twice to former German chancellors Konrad Adenauer and Helmut Kohl 7 Insignia Edit Comparison showing the similarities and same basic design of the various stars of the Bundesverdienstkreuz and the Prussian Order of the Black Eagle The Third Reich Order of the German Eagle The Third Reich Red Cross of Honour and the Prussian Pour le Merite Except for the lowest class the medal the badge is the same for all classes but with slightly different versions for men and women slightly smaller badge and ribbon for women The badge for the Member and Officer classes however are only enamelled on one side and flat on the reverse The badge of the Order is made up of a golden four armed cross enamelled in red with a central gold disc bearing a black enamelled German federal eagle Bundesadler The star is a golden star with straight rays its size and points vary according to class with the badge superimposed upon it An interesting fact about the stars of which no less than four grades use one is that they all have the same basic shape as various other breast stars from German history 8 8 pointed golden Star Grand Cross special class the same shape as the Prussian Order of the Black Eagle 6 pointed golden Star Grand Cross 1st class and special issue design if golden oak crown between the cross branches around the medallion the same shape as the Third Reich Order of the German Eagle 4 pointed golden Star Grand Cross Grand Cross of Merit with Star and Sash the same shape as the Third Reich Social Welfare Decoration silver Square upon point Knight Commander Grand Officer the same shape as the Grand Cross of the Pour le MeriteThe reasoning behind this is not clear It is not known if this is deliberate or coincidence as the tools used to make the stars were in short supply after the war and using stamping dies that were readily available and could be reused or acquired from other manufacturers would have been a good way of cutting costs and simplifying production in a Germany only just starting to experience the Wirtschaftswunder It is of course possible that this could have been deliberate and a way to celebrate German history in the design of the new honour for the Federal Republic This is unlikely however as two stars represent decorations awarded during the Third Reich and the other two are of Prussian origin Prussia itself had only been recently abolished and the legacy of so called Prussian militarism was not something openly celebrated in the new Federal Republic of Germany The riband of the Order is made up of the colours of the German flag The pattern is a large central band of red edged on both sides in a smaller band of gold black gold 9 Gallery Edit Insignia of the Grand Cross special class Insignia of the Grand Cross 1st class Badge and riband of the class Grand Cross without showing the star Star of the class Grand Cross Star of the class Knight Commander s Cross Badge suspended on neck riband of the class Commander s Cross Medal of Merit the lowest class of the Order Certificate of Bestowal Foreign head of state Queen Elizabeth II with the Grand Cross special class 1992 visit in Bruhl Rhineland Germany The gold foil German Bundesadler found on the inner lid of the Order Grand Cross with Star and Sash Grand Cross with badge Grand Cross with Star and Sash in case Grand Cross with Star and Sash set Grand Cross Star Commanders Cross set Commanders Class in case Commanders ClassRecipients EditFor a more comprehensive list see List of recipients of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany See also EditIron Cross Order of Karl Marx Pour le Merite Knight s Cross of the Iron Cross Awards and decorations of the German Armed ForcesReferences Edit Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland www bundespraesident de in German Retrieved 10 January 2021 The Oxford dictionary of abbreviations 2nd ed Oxford University Press 1992 p 70 ISBN 978 0 19 280073 2 Retrieved 27 October 2018 The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany English German statistics both Website of the President and accessed 29 March 2014 Binder Elisabeth 6 September 2001 Bundesverdienstkreuz Das Kreuz mit dem Dank Der Tagesspiegel in German Retrieved 22 March 2017 Wordehoff Bernhard 26 May 1989 Ehre in Serie Die Zeit in German Hamburg Retrieved 22 September 2018 Ordensstufen des Verdienstordens der Bundesrepublik Deutschland PDF auswaertiges amt de German Federal Foreign Office Retrieved 27 March 2018 Bundesverdienstkreuz mit Lorbeerkranz fur Kohl in German Rhein Zeitung 26 October 1998 Kapitel 1 2 www 1951 staatssymbole de Retrieved 2022 02 26 Hieronymussen P O Orders and Decorations of Europe in Color London Macmillan Publishers 1967 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany Official website Classes of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany with their official French English Spanish and Russian translations PDF Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany brochure in German Stiftung Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland in German Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany amp oldid 1130261431, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
