- Time Period: Pre World War I
- Institution: 1888
- Country: Belgium
The Order of the African Star (Orde van de Afrikaanse Ster / Ordre de l’Étoile africaine) was established on 30 December 1888 by Leopold II of Belgium and awarded for services to Congo and for the “promotion of African civilization in general”.
The Order was incorporated into the Belgian honors system on 10 October 1908 following the annexation of the Congo Free State by Belgium. The motto of the Order is “Labour and progress”. The Grand Master is the King of the Belgians, and although the Congo is no longer a Belgian colony, it is still considered to be a Belgian Order by tradition.
The Order of the African Star Design
The Badge is a white enameled five-pointed star with blue borders, surrounded by a crown of green enameled palm leaves. The central disk shows a gold star on blue enameled background surrounded by a gold ring displaying the motto of the order: Travail et Progrès (work and progress). The reverse is similar but with a red central disc and a stylized ‘double L’ crowned Leopold II monogram superimposed. The badge is topped by a royal crown.
The medal of the order is round with a suspension in the form of a royal crown with two pendelia and a ribbon ring. The obverse bears a finely ribbed central area with bead surround and a star superimposed and the motto of the order: Travail et Progrès (work and progress).
The ribbon is azure blue with a large central pale yellow stripe. When awarded in wartime, it may be adorned with a silver of gold palm.
