Order of Menelik II Founded in 1924 to honour the Emperor
of the same name, this order was often referred to as the
"Order of the Lion"
for the noble beast depicted in the centre of its green and
red cross. The insignia is suspended from a deep gold ribbon
lined at its edges in red and green, thus representing the
Ethiopian flag. The order is bestowed in several ranks. Order
of the Star of Ethiopia. This order was founded by Emperor
Menelik II in 1885 based on an older decoration. Bestowed
in several ranks, the Order of the Star is a multi-pointed
gold filigree star set with jewels, suspended from a ribbon
of red, gold and green. Order of the Ethiopian Lion. This
is actually a newer order, founded in 1996 in the tradition
of the Order of Menelik II, which was often referred to as
the "Order of the Lion." The decoration of the Order
of the Ethiopian Lion is a circular
medallion bearing, in its centre, the lion of Ethiopia. The
ribbon is red, yellow and green. As it is not based on a cross,
this order's design is not considered offensive to Muslims.
It is bestowed in several ranks. Order of Haile Selassie I.
Founded by Emperor Amha Selassie I in 1992, to commemorate
the centenary of the birth of his august predecessor, this
order is bestowed upon Africanists and others in several ranks.
The decoration is a cross enameled white bearing in its centre
a likeness of Haile Selassie, suspended from a blue ribbon
edged in the Ethiopian colours. Order of Saint Anthony. This
is the oldest Ethiopian order of chivalry, bestowed exclusively
on clerics, usually in the ranks of knight grand cross or
companion. The decoration is a deep purplish blue Latin cross
formy suspended by a striped ribbon of similar colours. The
Order of Saint Anthony was bestowed in the latter Middle Ages
by Ethiopia's kings and archbishops, and implied membership
in an elite confraternity.
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