Order of the Penguin
| Most Noble and Sovereign Order of the Penguin | |
|---|---|
.svg) Badge of the order | |
Awarded by .svg){kind=small} Monarch of Eintrachtia | |
| Type | Order of chivalry |
| Established | 21 September 2013 (traditional) 2023 (ratified) |
| Country |  Kingdom of Eintrachtia |
| Motto | "E pluribus unum" (Latin) "Out of many, one" |
| Eligibility | Eintrachtian nationals and foreigners |
| Awarded for | At His Majesty's Pleasure (de facto) For outstanding contribution to the nation in fields of civil and military service |
| Status | Currently constituted |
| Founder | John, King of Eintrachtia |
| Sovereign | John |
| Grand Chancellor | Penguin Ball Ballister I |
| Classes | Grand Cordon Grand Cross Knight/Dame Commander Officer |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | None (highest) |
| Next (lower) | Order of Concorde |
 Ribbon bar of the order | |
The Most Noble and Sovereign Order of the Penguin (Portuguese: Nobre e Soberana Ordem do Pinguim, Eintrachtian: Nobel et Sovrein Ordre dae Penguine), commonly referred to as the Order of the Penguin, is the most senior and distinguished order of chivalry in the Eintrachtian honours system. The Order is traditionally believed to be the foundational basis of the State of the Penguins, a predecessor to modern Eintrachtia, as it commemorates the first penguin to join the royal family, Penguin B. Ballister I, a stuffed penguin which was bought by the family during a visit to Taiwan. The exact date of the purchase was unknown until on the eve of the seventh Eintrachtia Day, the Eintrachtian National Archives confirmed that it occurred on 20 September 2013, and the penguin was officially named the following day, which officially replaced the date of the original Eintrachtia Day following Senate affirmation on 30 May 2024, the last Eintrachtia Day to be celebrated in May.
The Order is bestowed upon members at the monarch's pleasure, for significant achievements in fields of public service, and excellent contributions to the Eintrachtian Realm. Both Eintrachtian nationals and foreigners are eligible for the Order.
History
The traditional founding of the Order is on 21 September 2013, the date of the beginning of the royal family's dedication towards penguins. On the preceding day, the first stuffed penguin ever owned by the family was bought in Kenting, Taiwan, the penguin was nicknamed Ballball the following day, which later became the origin of the pseudonym "Ballister". This event is the origin of the later founded Penguins State, the predecessor to modern Eintrachtia. Subsequently, a fellowship centred around the interest in penguins took shape, which became the first form of the Order.
In 2023, a decision was made by King John to create an order of chivalry to commemorate the creation of the Penguins State, and to dedicate it to penguins, as the bird was the sole inspiration for John to become a micronationalist. He awarded himself the Order following ratification, and then awarded the Order to individuals that previously had made significant contributions to the Eintrachtian state, notably members of the royal family, especially his grandfather, S.Z.Z. Ballister, the Duke of Ballistelliburg, whom he awarded in 2023, and further awarded the Order to the province of Ballistelliburg in February 2024, to commemorate the province being the first claims made by the Penguins State.
Insignia
The badge of the Order is a blue Maltese cross with white-enameled edges. The medallion is gold-enameled and features an emperor penguin holding a gold sceptre, a similar image can be seen on the coat of arms of Eintrachtia. The ribbon of the order is blue. The sash of the order is blue, worn with the badge of the Order, and gold tassels for Grand Cordon recipients.
Grades and wear
The Order is awarded by the monarch of Eintrachtia and has five classes:
- Grand Cordon, which wears the star of the Order in gold on the left chest, and the badge of the Order with the sash and gold tassels on the left shoulder;
- Grand Cross, which wears the star of the Order in gold on the left chest, and the badge of the Order on a necklet;
- Knight or Dame, which wears the star of the Order in silver on the left chest;
- Commander, which wears the badge of the Order on a ribbon with rosette on the left chest;
- Officer, which wears the badge of the Order on a plain ribbon on the left chest.