The Order of the Falcon (Icelandic: Hin íslenska fálkaorða) is the only order of chivalry in Iceland, founded by King Christian X of Denmark and Iceland on 3 July 1921.^[1] The award is awarded for merit for Iceland and humanity and has five degrees. Nowadays, appointments are made on the nomination of the President of Iceland and that of a "five-member council."

Quick Facts Order of the Falcon, Awarded by the President of Iceland ...

Order of the Falcon
Grand Cross star
Awarded by the President of Iceland
Type	State order
Established	July 3, 1921
Country	Iceland
Status	Currently constituted
Grand Master	President of Iceland
Classes	Collar with Grand Cross Breast Star Grand Cross Grand Knight's Cross with Star Grand Knight's Cross Knight's Cross
Ribbon of the Order of the Falcon

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Christian X, the King of Denmark, ruled Iceland until 17 June 1944. During his royal visit to Iceland in 1921, King Christian X issued the royal decree founding the Icelandic Order of the Falcon.^[1] When Iceland became a republic, new statutes were incorporated for the Order on 11 July 1944. The Republic of Iceland replaced the King by an elected President of Iceland who is the designated Grand Master of this Order. It may be awarded to both Icelanders and citizens of other countries for achievements in Iceland or internationally.^[1] A five-member council makes recommendations on awards to the Grand Master, who then grants the award. However, the Grand Master may award the Order without recommendations from the Order Council.^[2] The Grand Master and the Chairman of the Order Council then sign the Letters Patent, which is given to those who receive the awards.

The Order has five classes:^[3]

1. Collar with Grand Cross Breast Star (Keðja ásamt stórkrossstjörnu), only for heads of state
2. Grand Cross (Stórkross)
3. Grand Knight's Cross with Star (Stórriddarakross með stjörnu)
4. Grand Knight's Cross (Stórriddarakross)
5. Knight's Cross (Riddarakross)

This section does not cite any sources. (July 2021)

The collar is gilded metal; it consists of links bearing the Icelandic coat-of-arms and blue-enamelled discs bearing the white falcon.

The badge consists of a gilt cross, enamelled in white, with a blue-enamelled central disc bearing the white falcon.

The star is a silver, eight-pointed star. For the Grand Cross class it has the badge of the Order superimposed upon it. For the Grand Knight with Star class it has a blue-enamelled central disc bearing the white falcon.

The ribbon is blue with white-red-white border stripes. It is worn on the left shoulder.

In summary:

• Collar with Grand Cross Breast Star – wears the badge on a collar plus a star on the left chest;
• Grand Cross – wears the badge on a sash on the left shoulder, plus a star on the left chest;
• Grand Knight's Cross with Star – wears the badge on a necklet, plus a star on the left chest;
• Grand Knight's Cross – wears the badge on a necklet;
• Knight's Cross – wears the badge on a chest ribbon.

If a holder is promoted to a higher rank, the lower rank's insignia must be returned. The insignia is retained during the recipient's lifetime, but it must be returned to the Icelandic Government upon his or her death.