The Ancient and Auspicious Order of the Nine Gems ( th, เครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์อันเป็นโบราณมงคลนพรัตนราชวราภรณ์; ) was established in 1851 by King

Mongkut Mongkut ( th, มงกุฏ; 18 October 18041 October 1868) was the fourth monarch of Siam (Thailand) under the House of Chakri, titled Rama IV. He ruled from 1851 to 1868. His full title in Thai was ''Phra Bat Somdet Phra Menthora Ramathibod ...

(Rama IV) of the

Kingdom of Siam Kingdom of Siam may refer to: * Sukhothai Kingdom (1238–1351) * Ayutthaya Kingdom The Ayutthaya Kingdom (; th, อยุธยา, , IAST: or , ) was a Siamese kingdom that existed in Southeast Asia from 1351 to 1767, centered around the ...

(now Thailand). The order is bestowed upon the members of the Thai royal family and distinguished high-ranking officials who have given service to the kingdom and who are active Buddhist laypeople. In practice, it is the highest Thai order granted to Thai citizens, as the two higher orders are reserved for royalty or foreign heads of state. Members of the order are entitled to use the postnominals น.ร.

History

The order is based on the model of European orders of chivalry and merit. The nine gems are the Thai form of the original Hindu royal

amulet An amulet, also known as a good luck charm or phylactery, is an object believed to confer protection upon its possessor. The word "amulet" comes from the Latin word amuletum, which Pliny's ''Natural History'' describes as "an object that protects ...

known as the navaratna and in its original form consisted of a ring of gold bearing the nine gems awarded to a Thai general after he won an important military victory and is also part of the royal insignia given the Thai king at his coronation. This ring still is part of the insignia of the order and worn by the male members of the order. The nine precious stones of the royal amulet constitute an integral part of both the badge and the star of the order. The nine gems and the corresponding benefits that they bestow on their bearers are: * Diamond—Power, wealth, success over enemies * Ruby—Success and longevity *

Emerald Emerald is a gemstone and a variety of the mineral beryl (Be3Al2(SiO3)6) colored green by trace amounts of chromium or sometimes vanadium.Hurlbut, Cornelius S. Jr. and Kammerling, Robert C. (1991) ''Gemology'', John Wiley & Sons, New York, p ...

—Strength and security *Yellow Sapphire—Charm and love * Garnet—Health and longevity *Blue Sapphire—Love and wealth * Pearl/ Moonstone—Purity, happiness, and success over enemies * Zircon/

Topaz Topaz is a silicate mineral of aluminium and fluorine with the chemical formula Al Si O( F, OH). It is used as a gemstone in jewelry and other adornments. Common topaz in its natural state is colorless, though trace element impurities can mak ...

—Wealth and success in legal affairs * Cat's Eye—Protection by spirits, and from fire

Insignia

The decoration consists of a single class (knight). The insignia are: *Pendant of the Nine Gems, on a yellow sash with red, blue, and green trim, worn over the right shoulder to the left hip (for men). For women, the Pendant of the Nine Gems is attached to a silk ribbon, worn on the front left shoulder. *Star of the Nine Gems, to wear on the left breast. *Gold Ring of the Nine Gems, for men, to wear on the right index finger. *The Sovereign Grand Master of the Order is Knight but added the Chain of the Nine Gems sash above to wear over the right shoulder to the left hip above sash badge and the star is decorated with diamonds.

List of Sovereigns

List of recipients

Highlights indicate living members

Royal Knights

Royal Dames

Knights

Living recipients of the order

References

External links

The Ancient and Auspicious Order of the Nine Gems
Secretariat to the Cabinet of Thailand {{DEFAULTSORT:Order Of The Nine Gems Nine Gems, Order Of The 1851 establishments in Siam Gemstones in religion Awards established in 1851