History

The Order of the Croatian Star (Danica) with the effigy of Ruđer Bošković was established on 10 March 1995.

Danica or Morning Star. Danica is a term used in Croatian as the name of an order, the badge in a shape of a star, as well as, the term use for the star that is constituent part of some grand orders and orders and which corresponds to the star of the decorations of some other nations.

Ruđer Bošković (18 May 1711 – 13 February 1787) was a Croatian physicist, astronomer, mathematician, philosopher, diplomat, poet, theologian, Jesuit priest, and a polymath from the Republic of Ragusa (modern-day Dubrovnik, Croatia).

The Order of the Croatian Star with the effigy of Ruđer Bošković is awarded to Croatian and foreign nationals for extraordinary service for science.

The badge of the Order of the Croatian Star with the effigy of Ruđer Bošković is an eight-pointed star with silver rays, 55 mm in diameter.

Centered on the star is a gilded medallion, 25 mm in diameter, with the effigy of Ruđer Bošković, a historical personality from Croatian science, symbolizing activities in which the decorated persons have distinguished themselves.

The medallion with the effigy of Ruđer Bošković is circular and represents the Dubrovnik natural scientist, philosopher, writer and diplomat. Left and right of his head is the inscription: “RUĐER BOŠKOVIĆ”.

On the reverse of the badge is the inscription „REPUBLIKA HRVATSKA“ encircled by three-stranded braiding, a screw with a nut for fastening the badge and original number of the Order.

The small decoration ribbon of the Order of the Croatian Star with the effigy of Ruđer Bošković is a 35 by 14 mm ribbon made of silk moire rep in the colours of the national flag (red – white – blue) with the attached forging of the medallion of the Order, 13 mm in diameter.

The miniature of the Order of the Croatian Star with the effigy of Ruđer Bošković is a miniaturized forging of the badge of the Order, 17 mm in diameter, suspended from a 12 mm wide ribbon in the colours of the national flag (red – white – blue).

The basic design for the Order of the Croatian Star was furnished by Stipe Sikirica.

The medallion with the effigy of Ruđer Bošković was designed by Kruno Bošnjak.

The Order was made by IKOM, Zagreb, Croatia.

The box for the Order is blue with the golden Croatian coat of arms and inscription written in two lines „REPUBLIKA HRVATSKA” on the cover of the box. On the inside of the cover of the box, on white silk, is inscription written in gold in two lines: „RED DANICE HRVATSKE“.

When the Order of the Croatian Star is presented, beside the decoration itself the written certificate is also given. The certificate is signed by the President of the Republic of Croatia.