The insignia consists solely of a badge consisting of a golden crown from which is suspended a red enamelled cross pattee, itself centred by a disk of blue enamel, surrounded by a laurel wreath, and bearing in gold lettering the words FOR MERIT;[14] the insignia for the military grouping is distinguished by a pair of crossed swords behind the central disk.[2] The ribbon of the Order of Merit is divided into two stripes of red and blue. Men wear their badges on a neck ribbon, while women carry theirs on a ribbon bow pinned to the left shoulder, and aides-de-camp may wear the insignia on their aiguillettes.[14] Since 1991, it has been required that the insignia be returned upon the recipient's death.[15]