Bundesverdienstkreuz
The Bundesverdienstkreuz (Federal Cross of Merit, officially Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany) is the only general state decoration of the Federal Republic of Germany. This Federal Order of Merit has existed since September 7, 1951. Between 3,000 and 5,200 awards are given every year in all classes.
Most of the German federal states (Länder) have their own orders of merit, with up to three ranks (member, officer, commander). This excludes the Free and Hanseatic Cities of Bremen and Hamburg, which reject any orders; by old tradition its citizens will refuse any decoration in form of an order.
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The Bundesverdienstkreuz has eight classes, in ascending order:
- Verdienstmedaille (Medal of Merit)
- Verdienstkreuz am Bande (Cross of Merit on ribbon)
international: Ritterkreuz (Knight's Cross) - Verdienstkreuz 1. Klasse (Cross of Merit, First class)
international: Offizierkreuz (Officer's Cross) - Großes Verdienstkreuz (Halskreuz) (Great Cross of Merit, neck cross)
international: Komturkreuz (Commander's Cross) - Großes Verdienstkreuz mit Stern (Great Cross of Merit with star)
international: Großoffizierkreuz (Great Officer's Cross) - Großes Verdienstkreuz mit Stern und Schulterband (Great Cross of Merit with Star and shoulder ribbon)
international: Großkreuz 2. Klasse (Grand Cross of Merit, Second class) oder Großkomturkreuz (Grand Commander's Cross) - Großkreuz (Grand Cross)
- Sonderstufe des Großkreuzes (Special class of the Grand Cross)
The President of the Federal Republic holds the Sonderstufe des Großkreuzes ex officio. It is awarded to him in a ceremony by the President of the Bundestag attended by the Chancellor, the President of the Bundesrat and the Supreme Court President. Other than the President of the Federal Republic, only a foreign head of state can be awarded with the highest class. There is also the provision of awarding the Großkreuz in a special rare design, which has so far only been used twice: for Konrad Adenauer and for Helmut Kohl.
Except for the lowest class, 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 is a golden Cross enamelled in red, with a central disc bearing a black eagle.
The star is a golden star with straight rays, its size and points vary according to class, with the badge superimposed upon it.
The ribbon is red with gold-black-gold stripes.
