Order of the Sun

Order of the Sun of Orioni
File:Australian centenary medal.jpg Medal
Awarded by Orioni
Established	8 October 1847
Country	Orioni
Ribbon	Currently awarded
Eligibility	All
Criteria	Civil and military merit
Precedence
Next (higher)	Order of the Beautiful Empire
Next (lower)	Order of Arts and Letters
Ribbon

The Order of the Sun of Orioni, commonly known as the Order of the Sun, is the highest award bestowed by the nation of Orioni to commend notable civil and military merit. The award is the second-oldest civilian award in Orioni, after the Order of the Beautiful Empire. It was established in 1847 by Empress Ogako, and comprises six classes, in civil and military divisions.

The Order was originally instituted on 8 October 1847 by Empress Ogako on hearing of the successful de-escalation of civil disobedience in overseas colonial areas, notably from subversive republican dissenters.

Current classes

The award consists of the following six classes, in descending order of precedence:

1. Cross with Diamonds
2. Grand Cross
3. Grand Officers
4. Companion
5. Officer
6. Knight

Criticism

The Order has attracted some criticism for its naming having connection with the idea of the now-extinct colonial empire. Penjaman Sefaniah, a poet from a former colony, publicly rejected an award in 1953 because, he asserted, it reminded him of “thousands of years of brutality”. He also said that “It reminds me of how my foremothers were raped, and my forefathers brutalised.”

In 1984, a Sibisebali Committee recommended changing the rank of Commander to Companion; as the former was said to have a “militaristic ring”.