History

This Order was established by Tafari Makonnen as regent in 1924. It was discontinued as a state award following the collapse of the Empire in 1974. It is currently awarded by the Crown Council of Ethiopia, and was amended by this body in 1996.

It was mainly conferred upon senior officials of the Ethiopian Armed Forces, high-ranking officers of the Imperial Court, and foreigners.

The Order was limited to 35 Grand Crosses, 45 Grand Officers, and 55 Commanders. There was an unlimited amount of Officers and Knights.

The obverse features an abbreviated Amharic inscription in Ge'ez script that can be translated to "‘The Lion of the Tribe of Judah hath conquered." The reverse features the royal cypher of Emperor Menelik II.

There may be additional versions that differ in composition.