Context:
Recently, the Egyptian President conferred the country’s highest state honour “Order of the Nile” award to the Prime Minister of India.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
Order of the Nile Award:
- Egypt’s highest state honor.
- Established in 1915 to recognize exceptional services to Egypt or humanity.
- Conferred upon Heads of state, Crown Princes, and Vice-Presidents.
Design and Symbolism:
- The Order of the Nile is a pure gold collar with three-square gold units representing Pharaonic symbols.
- The first unit symbolizes protection of the state against evils.
- The second unit represents the prosperity and happiness brought by the Nile.
- The third unit signifies wealth and endurance.
- The units are connected by a circular gold flower adorned with turquoise and ruby.
- Hanging from the collar is a hexagonal pendant featuring Pharaonic-style flowers and turquoise and ruby gems.
- The pendant has a protruding symbol representing the Nile, which unifies the North (represented by the Papyrus) and the South (represented by the Lotus).
Significance:
- Recipients of the Order of the Nile are honored with a salute upon their death.
-Source: Indian Express