Kalpana Kalpana (Editor)

Order of the Nine Gems

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Status
  
Currently constituted

Grades
  
Knight

First induction
  
1851

Sovereign
  
King Vajiralongkorn

Established
  
1851

Order of the Nine Gems

Eligibility
  
Military and civilian order

The Ancient and Auspicious Order of the Nine Gems (Thai: เครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์อันเป็นโบราณมงคลนพรัตนราชวราภรณ์; rtgs: Khrueang Ratcha Itsariyaphon An Pen Boranna Mongkhon Noppha Rat Ratcha Waraphon) was established in 1851 by King Rama IV of the Kingdom of Siam (now Thailand). The order is bestowed upon the members of the Thai royal family and distinguished high-ranking officials who have given service to the kingdom and who are Buddhist. Members of the order are entitled to use the postnominals น.ร.

Contents

History

The order is based on the model of European orders of chivalry and merit. The nine gems are the Thai form of the original Hindu royal amulet known as the navaratna and in its original form consisted of a ring of gold bearing the nine gems awarded to a Thai general after he won an important military victory and is also part of the royal insignia given the Thai king at his coronation. This ring still is part of the insignia of the order and worn by the male members of the order. The nine precious stones of the royal amulet constitute an integral part of both the badge and the star of the order.

The nine gems and the corresponding benefits that they bestow on their bearers are:

  • Diamond—Power, wealth, success over enemies
  • Ruby—Success and longevity
  • Emerald—Strength and security
  • Yellow Sapphire—Charm and love
  • Garnet—Health and longevity
  • Blue Sapphire—Love and wealth
  • Pearl/Moonstone—Purity, happiness, and success over enemies
  • Zircon/Topaz—Wealth and success in legal affairs
  • Cat's Eye—Protection by spirits, and from fire

    • Insignia

    The decoration consists of a single class (knight). The insignia are:

  • Pendant of the Nine Gems, on a yellow sash with red, blue, and green trim, worn over the right shoulder to the left hip (for men). For women, the Pendant of the Nine Gems is attached to a silk ribbon, worn on the front left shoulder.
  • Star of the Nine Gems, to wear on the left breast
  • Gold Ring of the Nine Gems, for men, to wear on the right index finger.

    • References

    Order of the Nine Gems Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA