Order of the Three Stars

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Order of the Three Stars Triju Zvaigžņu ordenis
Collar and star of the order
Type	5 class Order, with three honor medals.
Awarded for	Merit in service to Latvia.
Presented by	Latvia
Motto	Per aspera ad astra (Through hardships to the stars)
Established	1924
Ribbon of the order
Precedence
Next (higher)	Order of Lāčplēsis
Next (lower)	Order of Viesturs

Order of the Three Stars (Latvian: Triju Zvaigžņu ordenis) is the highest civilian order awarded for meritorious service to Latvia. It was established in 1924 in remembrance of the founding of Latvia. Its motto is "Per aspera ad astra", meaning "Through hardships to the stars". The Order has five ranks and three grades of medals of honour.^[1]

The ranks[]

• Commander Grand Cross with Chain (1st class with Chain) see below
• Commander Grand Cross (1st class)
• Grand Officer (2nd class)
• Commander (3rd class)
• Officer (4th class)
• Bearer (5th class)
• Medal of Honour, 1st Class
• Medal of Honour, 2nd Class
• Medal of Honour, 3rd Class

Ribbon bars
Commander Grand Cross with Chain	Commander Grand Cross	Grand Officer	Commander	Officer	Knight
Gold Medal of Honor		Silver Medal of Honor		Bronze Medal of Honor

The cross[]

The cross of the order is white enamel cross within gilded edges. In the center of the front side of the cross there is blue enamel medallion with three golden five-point stars on it. The reverse side has gilded medallion with inscriptions "Per aspera ad astra" and "Latvijas Republika — 1918.g.18. novembris" (English: Republic of Latvia - 18 November 1918).

The Stars[]

The Stars are first and second rate orders. The first rate order and the second rate order, (the great star and the small star, respectively) have similar design and differ only in size. The stars are in shape of five point star made of silver with blue enamel medallion with three golden five-point stars in its center. On its edge there is inscription "Par Tēviju" (English: For Fatherland).

Chain of the Order[]

Chain of the Order is awarded to Commander of the Grand Cross in exceptional cases. It has ten gilded links with alternately chiseled images of three stars, fire-cross, lion and griffin.

Medal of honour[]

Medal of honour is a round medal on front of which the cross of the order is depicted. The reverse side has inscription "Par Tēviju" with a flaming heart below the inscription. It has a wreath of oak leaves on its edge. The medal of honour has three grades – gold, silver and bronze.

See also[]

• List of notable recipients of the Order of the Three Stars

References[]

External links[]

• The State Decorations of Latvia, Office of the President.
• The Three-Star Order