Orde van de Nederlandse Leeuw

Order of the Netherlands Lion Orde van de Nederlandse Leeuw
The decoration of a Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion
Awarded by Kingdom of the Netherlands
Type	Chivalric order with three degrees
Established	29 September 1815
Motto	VIRTUS NOBILITAT
Awarded for	Those with merits of a very exceptional nature for society
Status	Currently constituted
Grand Master	King Willem-Alexander
Grades	Knight Grand Cross Commander Knight
Former grades	Brother
Precedence
Next (higher)	Honorary Medal for Charitable Assistance in Gold
Next (lower)	Order of Orange-Nassau
Ribbon bar of the Order of the Netherlands Lion

The Order of the Netherlands Lion, also referred to as the Order of the Lion of the Netherlands (Dutch: De Orde van de Nederlandse Leeuw, French: L'Ordre du Lion Belgique / Néerlandais) is a Dutch order of chivalry founded by King William I of the Netherlands on 29 September 1815.

The Order of the Netherlands Lion was until recently awarded upon eminent individuals from all walks of life, including generals, ministers of the crown, mayors of large towns, professors and leading scientists, industrialists, high-ranking civil servants, presiding judges and renowned artists. Since 1980 the Order has been primarily used to recognise merit in the arts, science, sport and literature; others have been awarded the Order of Orange-Nassau instead.

The Order ranks after the Military William Order, which is only awarded for military merit. The second and third class of the Order are not awarded to foreigners; they are eligible for the Order of Orange-Nassau or the Order of the Crown instead.

The King of the Netherlands is the Grand Master of the Order. The Order is issued in three classes. There was also a Medal for "Brothers" which had not been conferred since 1960. The Brothers became extinct and the grade was abolished in 1994.

The following classes and grades exist for the Order:

The badge of the Order is a gilt, white-enamelled Maltese Cross, with the monogram "W" (for King William I) between the arms of the cross. The obverse central disc is in blue enamel, bearing the motto Virtus Nobilitat (Virtue Ennobles). The reverse central disc is plain golden, with the lion from the Netherlands coat-of-arms. The badge hangs from a royal crown. As with all honours awarded by the Netherlands, the insignia comprises a decoration, a miniature and optionally a breast star. The decoration and breast stars are only worn at formal occasions or while in state office. While wearing a smoking, it is allowed to wear the miniature. Decorations are not worn on any other type of clothing.