The Order of Hungarian pálinka - History of the Order

The Order of the Knights is headed by the Grand Master, with the Vice-Chancellor as its Deputy. The Board of Directors also includes the Treasurer, the Master Cupbearer and the Master of Ceremonies. The Order of the Knight is governed by a Council of Knights, consisting of thirteen members: the five Board Members, the four Grand Masters, and four Pálinka Ambassadors.

• The Transdanubian Captaincy,

• Central-Hungarian Captaincy,

• South Hungary,

• North-Eastern Hungary.

Today, the Order has 77 members, all of whom are committed to the cause of pálinka in one way or another, whether as producers, distributors or service providers in the business. Members can be ordinary members, honorary members or entrepreneurial supporting members.

• On the one hand, as a professional organisation, it represents and presents the interests of pálinka producers.

• On the other hand, as a representative body of the pálinka producers, it represents the traditions of the pálinka producers.

• Finally, through the Order of Knights, it supports the needy and the underprivileged, mainly through foundations, with several million forints per year, and promotes ethical pálinka production.

The Coat of Arms

The coat of arms is a conical "tar" shield. The ground color is red with floating heraldic images. In the lower half of the shield is a copper pálinka small pot still with a wooden fire burning below. The background color symbolizes the strength, fire and warming effect of pálinka.

A copper snake is coiled behind the copper, in the middle, with pálinka dripping from its mouth, representing the vapor pipe. The snake has a symbolic effect, as the health benefits of a small amount of spirits consumed recognized by medical professionals. Two arms can be seen crosswise in front of the copper, each holding a glass and swinging to cheer. The white arms on the right and the blue arms on the left symbolize reconciliation, friendship and togetherness, sealed by the drinking of pálinka.

In the upper right-hand corner is a smiling silver "waning" moon face, and in the upper left-hand corner is a smiling, laughing golden sun face. Both celestial bodies symbolize timelessness, the maturing power of nature and origin.

The coat of arms is surrounded by floating gold bands in a semicircle at the top and bottom, with black text reading "Magyar" (Hungarian) at the top and “Pálinka Lovagrend”' (Order of the Knights of the Pálinka) at the bottom.

In the field between the top band and the coat of arms is the date of the Order's foundation, 'anno 2004'.

The ribbons are green in color, a reference to the natural environment on which the raw materials for the distillation of pálinka depend. On both sides, the shield is decorated with the most characteristic treasures of pálinka distillation, the fruits with branches and leaves, as heraldic symbols. On the right, plums in silver light, on the left, peaches in gold light.

The shape of the coat of arms forms a nearly circular unit, making it suitable for a seal or medallion.

Source: palinkalovag.hu