History and Tradition of Karneval Orden

During Karneval Season, you will see people wearing military-like medals called Orden around their necks. These colorful medals, dating to the 1800s, were initially designed to mock the establishment. Today, people consider them a prestigious honor reflecting status and importance. What is the history of Karneval Orden? And how do Karneval groups carry on the traditions today?

History of Karneval Orden

While Karneval/Fasching has been celebrated for hundreds of years in Germany, the Orden is relatively recent. The first mention comes in 1824 when a Princess of Venice arrived in Cologne (Köln) and gifted the Karneval Hero (the forerunner to the Karneval Prinz) with a medal to show appreciation. She received an Orden or Medal in return as thanks. After 1827, all worthy Karneval celebrants received medals. (Since the Princess of Venice received an Orden in return, it’s likely that Karneval Royalty was already wearing medals. It most likely began with the resurgence of Karneval in the early 1800s).

But why Orden/Medals? It began as a caricature of the Prussian Military. After the city of Cologne was “liberated” from Napoleon by Prussia in 1814, the locals delighted in mocking the Prussian Army’s love for ribbons and medals by wearing Orden to show their contempt for military behavior (they also salute backward…). Early Orden had images of politics, city history, the town council, and city patrons. Today, they still reflect current events, traditions, and hobbies of those they honor.

Different Classes of Karneval Orden

Orden reflect the Karneval Club, and there are different classes of medal within each club. Glancing at the Orden will tell you about the wearer, like military medals and awards.

Prince’s Orden- A special Medal goes to the Prince and Princess of the Karneval. The princely pair also hands out a similar medal, the “Orden of the Prince and Princess Couple,” to special people.

Association Orden- This medal is awarded to longstanding or important members of the Karneval Club. Its motif changes annually.

Club Orden- The official Karneval Club Orden is given to every member to identify them as members. The motif stays the same.

Orden of Merit—This is a special Orden presented to a member who made an extraordinary contribution to the Karneval association.

Session Orden- Similar to the Club Orden, this goes out to all members and changes annually.

Other Special Orden are presented in exceptional circumstances.

The Tradition of Orden Continues

Thanks to Dale Blank of the Freistadt Kameraden, “Anvil Guy” and former Karneval Prinz, who wrote this for me.

Today, Orden are still a big part of Karneval! People love to collect this fun “hardware.” Every year, each Karneval Club elects a Karneval Prinz (and Prinzessin) who designed their own Orden to reflect the couple’s interests, be it music, hunting, dance, or heavy drinking. Some are even encoded with secret messages or cryptic images. These are given to dignitaries (Club Presidents, other Prinzenpaar, Burgermeisters, honored guests, etc.), special people like parents, close friends, and, of course, their court (and sometimes they are traded for a kiss). Then, the recipients wear the medals to every subsequent Karneval event, layered with all of their others.

Some Karneval goers have a whole Chest full of medals. Most just wear the current year and a few that are most important. (I think I would wear them all…)