Virtual visit of display
Sovereign Knights. Foreign Orders of Russian Emperors
The Order of the Elephant as a symbol of relations between Russia and Denmark

The history of the highest order of Denmark – the Order of the Elephant – dates back to the XVth century. According to a legend it is related to the Danish religious confraternity called the Fellowship of the Mother of God, which had already been known in the time of King Canute IV of Denmark (1182-1202). The original badge of the order, instituted by King Christian I in 1464, was a medallion with an image of the Virgin Mary holding her Son attached to a collar of links in the form of elephants. Later on the badge of the order shaped as an elephant with his profile on its right side was used in the time of King Frederick II. The latter order’s insignia and statutes were established by King Christian V on 1st of December, 1693. Design of the badge involves a golden figure of an elephant with a tower on its back, worn either on a chain of gold elephants and towers, or on a blue ribbon across the left shoulder together with the Star of the Order. The explanation for such a symbol of the Order is most likely concerned with the participation of the Danish troops in the religiously sanctioned military campaigns (crusades) and their victory over the Saracens and their warrior elephants. During the Middle ages elephants symbolised purity and chastity, which are characteristic of the very Jesus Christ. It could have been be a metaphorical representation of the firmness of the Christian Church. The Order was mainly conferred on foreign princes and distinguished Danish noblemen.

The badge of the Order of the Elephant is a white, enamelled, gold elephant decorated with a cross on one side and the monogram of the reigning monarch on the other. The elephant carries a tower on its back and a black moor holding a spear on its neck. The badge is worn either on a chain of gold elephants and towers, or on a blue ribbon across the left shoulder together with the Star of the Order. “A reward for generosity”: the motto of the order.

The front side of the badge-elephant is decorated with a cross of five large table cut diamonds and the reverse side bears the crowned monogram of the reigning monarch. Unfortunately, almost all the monograms with crowns on the orders, transferred to Russia, have been lost. The initials of the owners were removed from the badges as they were meant to be sold as antiques.

Tsar Peter the Great was decorated with the Order of the Elephant in 1713 in commemoration of the victory of the Russian troops over the Swedish army. Among the other Russian Emperors who had also become the Knights of the Order were Peter III, Alexander I, Nicholas I, the heir to the throne Grand Prince Alexander Nicholaevich. The further award ceremonies were carried out to mark the formation of dynastic alliance between Russia and Denmark.