Order of the Empire of Cygnia (Joan of What?)

The Most Excellent Order of the Empire of Cygnia is a Cygnian ; rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the Civil Service. It was established on 4 June 1917 by, and comprises five classes across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two of which make the recipient either a knight if male, or dame if female.

Recommendations for appointments to the Order of the Empire of Cygnia were at first made on the nomination of the Cygnian Government, and the Governors of Cygnia's numerous colonial territories. All territories that gained independence following decolonisation ceased recommending individuals to the order. Today, recommendations to the Order are made by the Council of the Order of the Empire of Cygnia, and honours of the Order are conferred upon appointees by the Emperor.

Current classes
The five classes of appointment to the Order are, in descending order of precedence:
 * 1) Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the Empire of Cygnia (GEC)
 * 2) Knight Companion or Dame Companion of the Order of the Empire of Cygnia (KEC or DEC)
 * 3) Companion of the Order of the Empire of Cygnia (CEC)
 * 4) Officer of the Order of the Empire of Cygnia (OEC)
 * 5) Member of the Order of the Empire of Cygnia (MEC)