Honorary Order of the Yellow Star
Encyclopedia
The Honorary Order of the Yellow Star (Dutch
: Ere-Orde van de Gele Ster) is the highest state decoration
of the Republic of Suriname. The Order was instituted in 1975 at the independence of Suriname and replaced the Dutch
Order of the Netherlands Lion. It is awarded to individuals for their meritorious service to the Surinamese people or nation. The order is also eligible for foreigners. The president of Suriname is the Grand Master of the order.
The president of Suriname as Grand Master wears the collar of the order.
The Badge of the order exists of a gold gilt five-pointed star
each topped with a small ball, and gold gilt rays between the arms, resulting in a badge with the shape of a pentagon
. The central disk shows the yellow star of the Flag
and Coat of arms of Suriname
on white enamel, surrounded by a black enamel and gold edged ring displaying the motto
in yellow (also from the Surinamese Coat of arms): JUSTITIA - PIETAS - FIDES ("Justice - Piety - Fidelity").
The Star of the Order is an eight-pointed gold gilt star with straight rays. The central disc is the same as that of the badge.
The Medal is round, with a gold and silver version. It shows the five-pointed star and a surrounding circlet with the motto of the order.
The Ribbon of the order is red with white stripes at the edges.
immediately honoured all nine still living conspirators, who together with Bouterse were involved in the 1980 Surinamese coup d'état
, with the Grand Cordon of the Honorary Order of the Yellow Star. This led internationally to great controversy, since all nine are accused of involvement in the December murders in 1982, when thirteen civilians and two military officials were murdered because they opposed the military rule in Suriname.
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
: Ere-Orde van de Gele Ster) is the highest state decoration
State decoration
State decorations are orders, medals and other decorations granted by a state. International decorations are similar, but are not granted by a specific nation but rather an international organization....
of the Republic of Suriname. The Order was instituted in 1975 at the independence of Suriname and replaced the Dutch
Kingdom of the Netherlands
The Kingdom of the Netherlands is a sovereign state and constitutional monarchy with territory in Western Europe and in the Caribbean. The four parts of the Kingdom—Aruba, Curaçao, the Netherlands, and Sint Maarten—are referred to as "countries", and participate on a basis of equality...
Order of the Netherlands Lion. It is awarded to individuals for their meritorious service to the Surinamese people or nation. The order is also eligible for foreigners. The president of Suriname is the Grand Master of the order.
Classes
The Honorary Order of the Yellow Star is issued in five classes, plus two medals:- Grand Cordon (Grootlint), who wears the badge on a sash on the right shoulder, plus the star on the left side of the chest;
- Grand Officer (Grootofficier), who wears a badge on a necklet, plus a star on the left side of the chest;
- Commander (Commandeur), who wears the badge on a necklet;
- Officer (Officier), who wears the badge on a ribbon with rosette on the left side of the chest;
- Knight (Ridder), who wears the badge on a ribbon on the left side of the chest.
- Honorary Medals in Gold and Silver on a ribbon on the left chest
The president of Suriname as Grand Master wears the collar of the order.
Insignia
The Collar of the Order is in gold, with alternating the "Sen" (S-shaped monogram) and gold stars as facets, connected with small chains. The whole chain rests on a folded Ribbon of the order that culminates in two bows. The bows are worn on the shoulders.The Badge of the order exists of a gold gilt five-pointed star
Five-pointed star
A five-pointed star is a very common ideogram throughout the world. If the colinear edges are joined together a pentagram is produced, which is the simplest of the unicursal star polygons, and a symbol of mystical and magical significance....
each topped with a small ball, and gold gilt rays between the arms, resulting in a badge with the shape of a pentagon
Pentagon
In geometry, a pentagon is any five-sided polygon. A pentagon may be simple or self-intersecting. The sum of the internal angles in a simple pentagon is 540°. A pentagram is an example of a self-intersecting pentagon.- Regular pentagons :In a regular pentagon, all sides are equal in length and...
. The central disk shows the yellow star of the Flag
Flag of Suriname
The flag of Suriname is formed by five horizontal bands of green , white, red , white, and green . There is a large, yellow, five-pointed star centered in the red band....
and Coat of arms of Suriname
Coat of arms of Suriname
On 25 November 1975 the independent Republic of Suriname adopted an official coat of arms. The motto reads Justitia - Pietas - Fides . It further consists of two natives who carry a shield. The left half of the shield symbolizes the past, as slaves were abducted via ship out of Africa...
on white enamel, surrounded by a black enamel and gold edged ring displaying the motto
Motto
A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...
in yellow (also from the Surinamese Coat of arms): JUSTITIA - PIETAS - FIDES ("Justice - Piety - Fidelity").
The Star of the Order is an eight-pointed gold gilt star with straight rays. The central disc is the same as that of the badge.
The Medal is round, with a gold and silver version. It shows the five-pointed star and a surrounding circlet with the motto of the order.
The Ribbon of the order is red with white stripes at the edges.
Controversy
After his inauguration in 2010, the Surinamese president Dési BouterseDési Bouterse
Desiré Delano "Dési" Bouterse is the 9th and current President of Suriname.As an army officer, he was the de facto leader of Suriname through most of the 1980s, serving as Chairman of the National Military Council...
immediately honoured all nine still living conspirators, who together with Bouterse were involved in the 1980 Surinamese coup d'état
1980 Surinamese coup d'état
The Surinamese coup d'état of 1980, usually referred to as the sergeants coup occurred on 25 February, when a group of sergeants of the Surinamese army took control of Suriname's government. The group declared the country to be a Socialist Republic, and stated that they would collectively run the...
, with the Grand Cordon of the Honorary Order of the Yellow Star. This led internationally to great controversy, since all nine are accused of involvement in the December murders in 1982, when thirteen civilians and two military officials were murdered because they opposed the military rule in Suriname.
Selected recipients
- Jules AjodhiaJules AjodhiaJules Rattankoemar Ajodhia is a Surinamese politician.From 1988 to 1990, he was Justice Minister. He was also twice vice president of Suriname.The first term was from 16 September 1991 to 15 September 1996...
, a Surinamese politician and former Vice-President of Suriname - Prince Bernhard of Lippe-BiesterfeldPrince Bernhard of Lippe-BiesterfeldPrince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld , later Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, was prince consort of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands and father of six children, including the current monarch Queen Beatrix....
, prince consortPrince consortA prince consort is the husband of a queen regnant who is not himself a king in his own right.Current examples include the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh , and Prince Henrik of Denmark .In recognition of his status, a prince consort may be given a formal...
of Queen JulianaJuliana of the NetherlandsJuliana was the Queen regnant of the Kingdom of the Netherlands between 1948 and 1980. She was the only child of Queen Wilhelmina and Prince Henry... - Edwin W. Carrington, former Secretary-GeneralSecretary-General-International intergovernmental organizations:-International nongovernmental organizations:-Sports governing bodies:...
of the Caribbean CommunityCaribbean CommunityThe Caribbean Community is an organisation of 15 Caribbean nations and dependencies. CARICOM's main purposes are to promote economic integration and cooperation among its members, to ensure that the benefits of integration are equitably shared, and to coordinate foreign policy...
(CARICOM) - Beatrix of the NetherlandsBeatrix of the NetherlandsBeatrix is the Queen regnant of the Kingdom of the Netherlands comprising the Netherlands, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and Aruba. She is the first daughter of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands and Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld. She studied law at Leiden University...
, current Queen RegnantQueen regnantA queen regnant is a female monarch who reigns in her own right, in contrast to a queen consort, who is the wife of a reigning king. An empress regnant is a female monarch who reigns in her own right over an empire....
of the Kingdom of the NetherlandsKingdom of the NetherlandsThe Kingdom of the Netherlands is a sovereign state and constitutional monarchy with territory in Western Europe and in the Caribbean. The four parts of the Kingdom—Aruba, Curaçao, the Netherlands, and Sint Maarten—are referred to as "countries", and participate on a basis of equality... - Juliana of the NetherlandsJuliana of the NetherlandsJuliana was the Queen regnant of the Kingdom of the Netherlands between 1948 and 1980. She was the only child of Queen Wilhelmina and Prince Henry...
, former Queen Regnant of the Netherlands - Michiel van KempenMichiel van KempenMichaël Henricus Gertrudis van Kempen is a Dutch writer, art historian and literary critic. He has written novels, short stories, essays, travel literature and scenarios...
, Dutch writer - Clarence SeedorfClarence SeedorfClarence Clyde Seedorf OON is a Dutch footballer who currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Serie A club Milan. Seedorf is the first player to have won the Champions League with three different clubs - Ajax in 1995, Real Madrid in 1998 and Milan in 2003 and 2007...
, Surinamese-Dutch football player - Ronald VenetiaanRonald VenetiaanRonald Runaldo Venetiaan served as the 6th and 8th President of Suriname. His first term as president ran from 1991 to 1996 after which he lost in the elections to Jules Wijdenbosch...
, a Surinamese politician and former President of SurinamePresident of SurinameThe President of the Republic of Suriname is, in accordance with the Constitution of 1987, the head of state, head of government, and commander-in-chief of Suriname.... - Pieter van VollenhovenPieter van VollenhovenPieter van Vollenhoven, Jr. is the husband of Princess Margriet of the Netherlands and a member of the Dutch Royal House.-Early life and career:Born in Schiedam, he is the second son of Pieter van Vollenhoven, Sr...
, member of the Dutch Royal HouseDutch Royal HouseIn the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Monarchy is a constitutional office and is controlled by the constitution of the Netherlands. A distinction is made between members of the royal family and members of the Royal House. The royal family is the Orange-Nassau family, however not every member is a...
and husband of Princess Margriet of the NetherlandsPrincess Margriet of the NetherlandsPrincess Margriet Francisca of the Netherlands is the third daughter of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands...