The Order of the Paulownia Flowers (桐花章, Tōka shō?) is an order presented by the Japanese Government. Established in 1888 during the Meiji Restoration as the highest award in the Order of the Rising Sun; however, since 2003 it has been an Order in its own right. The only grade of the order is Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers (旭日桐花大綬章, Kyokujitsu tōka daijushō?), which ranks higher than the Order of the Rising Sun but lower than the Order of the Chrysanthemum. Traditionally, the order has been conferred upon eminent statesmen, cabinet ministers, politicians and judges.
The badge for the Order is a gilt cross with white enameled rays, bearing a central emblem of a red enameled sun disc surrounded by red rays, and with three paulownia blossoms between each arm of the cross. It is suspended from three enameled paulownia leaves on a sash in red with white border stripes, and is worn on the right shoulder.
The star for the Order is the same as the badge, but without the paulownia leaves suspension. It is worn on the left chest.
Famous quotes containing the words order of, order and/or flowers:
“An example is often a deceptive mirror, and the order of destiny, so troubling to our thoughts, is not always found written in things past.”
—Pierre Corneille (1606–1684)
““Learn what is true, in order to do what is right,” is the summing up of the whole duty of man, for all who are unable to satisfy their mental hunger with the east wind of authority.”
—Thomas Henry Huxley (1825–95)
“The flowers that did in Eden bloom;
Unpitying frosts, and Autumn’s power
Shall leave no vestige of this flower.”
—Philip Freneau (1752–1832)