National Order of Merit (Malta) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids National Order of Merit Ordni Nazzjonali tal-Meritu
Companion Cross of the National Order of Merit
Awarded by  Malta
Type	Order
Motto	Virtute et Constantia
Awarded for	Presidents, Prime Ministers, and distinguished services to Malta
Status	Currently constituted
Grades	Companion of Honour Companion Officer Member Honorary : Companion of Honour with Collar Companion of Honour Companion with Breast Star Companion Officer Member
Precedence
Next (higher)	None (highest)
Next (lower)	Order of the Tribute to the Republic
Ribbon bar of the order

The National Order of Merit is a very important award given by the Republic of Malta. It's like a special badge of honor from the country. This award is divided into four main levels, or "grades," for people from Malta.

The highest award a Maltese citizen can get is the grade of Companion of Honour of the National Order of Merit. People from other countries can also receive this award, but it's called an "honorary" award for them.

Who Receives This Special Award?

The National Order of Merit celebrates Maltese citizens who have done amazing things in many different areas. The motto of the Order is Virtute et Constantia, which means "With Courage and Constancy."

Only citizens of Malta can become full members of the Order. However, people from other countries can get an honorary membership. This happens if they have helped improve friendships between countries or have earned the respect of the people of the Maltese Islands.

How Many People Can Get the Award?

Past and present presidents and prime ministers of Malta automatically become Companion of Honour members. Besides them, only three other people can hold this top award at any one time.

For the other levels, there are also limits. There can be up to twelve Companions, twenty Officers, and one hundred Members at any time. Each year, only a certain number of new people can be appointed: two Companions, three Officers, and ten Members. These limits do not include honorary members from other countries.

Understanding the Award Levels

The Order has different levels, called "grades," to recognize many types of achievements and service. When someone receives an award, they can use special letters after their name.

National Appointments

These are the awards for Maltese citizens:

• Companions of Honour – They can use K.U.O.M. after their name.
• Companions – They can use K.O.M. after their name.
• Officers – They can use U.O.M. after their name.
• Members – They can use M.O.M. after their name.

Honorary Appointments

People from other countries can also receive honorary awards. These awards have similar levels, plus a few extra special ones:

• Honorary Companions of Honour with Collar – K.U.O.M.
• Honorary Companions of Honour – K.U.O.M.
• Honorary Companions with Breast Star – K.O.M.
• Honorary Companions – K.O.M.
• Honorary Officers – U.O.M.
• Honorary Members – M.O.M.

What the Awards Look Like

Each level of the National Order of Merit has its own special badge or "insignia." These are unique symbols that show the award.

Companion of Honour Insignia

The Companion of Honour award includes a shiny star that is worn on the chest. It has silver rays and a white enameled Maltese Cross on top. In the middle of the cross is the Coat of arms of Malta.

The main badge of the order looks similar to the star, but it only has the Maltese Cross and the coat of arms. This badge hangs from a wide blue sash with a red stripe in the middle. For women, the sash is a bit narrower.

Very important honorary companions, like heads of state, might wear their badge from a special collar. This collar is made of silver-gilt chains with red and white enameled discs and Maltese Crosses.

Companion Insignia

The breast star for a Companion is a Maltese Cross with the Coat of arms of Malta in the center. It doesn't have the silver rays like the Companion of Honour star. The badge for a Companion is worn around the neck on a ribbon that has the same colors as the sash. For ladies, the badge is worn on a ribbon tied into a bow.

Officer Insignia

Officers wear their badge on a ribbon on their chest. The badge is a Maltese Cross. If a woman receives this award, the ribbon holding the badge is also tied into a bow.

Member Insignia

Members wear their badge in the same way as Officers. The Maltese Cross on a Member's badge is silver, not enameled.

See also

• List of Honorary Companions of Honour of the National Order of Merit