Order of the Precious Crown
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Order of the Precious Crown (宝冠章) is a Japanese order, established on January 4, 1888 by Emperor Meiji of Japan. Originally the order had five classes, but on April 13, 1896 the sixth, seventh and eighth classes were added.
 宝冠大授章 - Grand Cordon |
 宝冠牡丹章 -"Peony"
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The order is reserved for females (men may be awarded the Order of the Rising Sun instead); the first class is normally conferred to female royalty. Unlike its European counterparts, the order may be conferred posthumously.
The order consists of eight classes.
The badge of the order is a gold oval medallion, with floral designs at its four ends; at the centre is an ancient Japanese crown on a blue background, surrounded by a red ring. It is suspended from a smaller badge, its design varies according to class, on a ribbon in yellow with red stripes near the borders, as a sash on the right shoulder for the 1st class, as a bow on the left shoulder for the other classes.
The star of the order, which is worn only by the first class, has five arms studded with pearl, with floral designs between the arms. The central disc features a Ho-o or phoenix on a blue background, surrounded by a red ring.
[edit] The order after the 2003 reform
In 2003 the Order of the Rising Sun, previously reserved for males, were made available to women as well. This means the Order of the Precious Crown will hereafter be conferred only on foreign female dignitaries.
[edit] References
- Peterson, James W., Barry C. Weaver and Michael A. Quigley. (2001). Orders and Medals of Japan and Associated States. San Ramon, California: Orders and Medals Society of America. ISBN 1-8909-7409-9
[edit] External links
- Japan, Cabinet Office: Decorations and Medals -- Order of the Precious Crown unmentioned in current schema of honors
- Decoration Bureau: Order of the Precious Crown
- Japan Mint: Production Process
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