| Decoration of Merit | |
| Awarded By: | the Minister-President of Hesse |
| Country: | Germany |
| Type: | Civil order of merit |
| For: | Outstanding contributions to the state of Hesse |
| Established: | 1 December 1989 |
| Total: | 430 |
| Grades: | Member |
The Hessian Order of Merit (de|Hessischer Verdienstorden) is a civil order of merit, and the highest award of the German State of Hesse. The order was established 1 December 1989.
The order is presented by the Minister-President of Hesse based on nominations from citizens, though self-nominations are not permitted. The order honours men and women for outstanding contributions to Hesse and may be awarded without regard to residence or citizenship.[1] The order is presented in two classes, the first class being worn around the neck, and the second class being worn suspended from a ribbon on the chest. The number of living recipients is limited to 2,000 for the second class and 800 for the first class.[2]
The badge of the order is a gold rimmed white enamel cross. The center medallion is red with a gold rim. Upon the medallion is a lion as depicted on the Coat of arms of Hesse. Between the arms of the cross are the gold rays of an eight pointed star. The cross is worn on a blue ribbon around his neck in the first class and on a suspended from a ribbon worn on the chest for the second class. Women wear the cross of the Order on a bow of ribbon below the left shoulder.[3]