Brazil Archives -

Order of Pedro I

The Order of Pedro I is a Brazilian order of chivalry instituted in 1826 by Emperor Pedro I and considered the rarest of the country’s orders.

Time Period: Pre-WW1
Institution: 16 April 1826
Country: Brazil

The Order of Pedro I (or Imperial Ordem de Pedro Primeiro in Portuguese) is a Brazilian order of chivalry instituted in 16 April 1826 by Emperor Pedro I and considered the rarest of the country’s Imperial orders.

The Order of Pedro I was canceled on 22 March 1890 by the interim government of the United States of Brazil. Since the deposition of the last Brazilian monarch in 1889, it continues to be used as a house order by the Heads of the Orleans-Berganza house. The Grand Mastership, like many other Brazilian imperial orders, is shared between the branches of Petrópolis and Vassouras.

Classes of the Order of Pedro I

The Imperial Order of Pedro I has the following classes:

Grand Cross (Grã-Cruz)
Commander (Comendador)
Knight (Cavaleiro)

The Order of Pedro I Medal Design

The insignia of the Grand Cross of the Order of Pedro I is a gold-winged dragon (referencing the House of Braganza) with a red sole garnished with coffee branches and the inscription “Founder of the Empire of Brazil”. The insignia is topped with an imperial crown and a green ribbon. The reverse is the same except that the dragon is complete with its tail and without the crown of the city.

Order of Saint James of the Sword

The Order of Saint James of the Sword was an honorific order of the Empire of Brazil established in 1843 and nationalized by Pedro I.

Time Period: Pre-WW1
Institution: 9 September 1843
Country: Brazil

The Imperial Order of Saint James of the Sword (or Imperial Ordem de Sant’Iago da Espada in Portuguese) was an honorific order of the Empire of Brazil established on 9 September 1843 and nationalized by Pedro I of Brazil after the reform proposed by Dona Maria II of Portugal and recommended by the Judiciary.

While the Portuguese Order of Saint James of the Sword (on which this Brazilian one is based) was offered to people who made advancements in science, literature, and art, the Brazilian counterpart was reserved exclusively for military personnel (especially of Pedro I and his son Dom Pedro II).

The Imperial Order of Saint James of the Sword was canceled as a national order by the interim government of the United States of Brazil on 22 March 1890. Since then, it continues to be awarded by the Heads of the Orleans-Braganza house, and the Petrópolis and Vassouras branches of the Imperial family dispute its Gand Mastership.

Classes of the Order of th Sword

The Imperial Order of Saint James of the Sword has the following classes:

Grand Cross (Grã-Cruz)
Commander (Comendador)
Knight (Cavaleiro)

Imperial Order of St. Benedict of Avis

The Imperial Order of St. Benedict of Avis is a Brazilian military order established in 1843 and awarded in three grades.

Time Period: Pre-WW1
Institution: 9 September 1843
Country: Brazil

The Imperial Order of St. Benedict of Avis (or Imperial Ordem de São Bento de Avis in Portuguese) is a military order established on 9 September 1843 and awarded in three grades.

It’s believed this order originates from the Portuguese Military Order of Aviz – which, in turn, dates back to medieval times. Other theories inlve a Spanish origin based on the Order of Calatrava.

The Order of Avis had a religious character, which was deprived in September 1843 when the Republic was proclaimed.

Since the deposition of Emperor Pedro II (the last Brazilian monarch), the order continues to be used as a house order awarded by the Heads of the House of Orleans-Braganza. The Grand Mastership of the order is disputed between the Petrópolis and Vassouras branches of the Imperial family.

Classes of the Order of Avis

The Order of Avis has the following classes:

Grand Cross (Grã-Cruz)
Commander (Comendador)
Knight (Cavaleiro)

The Order of Avis Medal Design

The obverse of the Order of Avis’ insignia is a white star with five forked tips and doorknobs. It sits on a garland of tobacco and coffee branches, and the pendant has an imperial crown. In the center is a white medallion with a florid green cross embroidered in gold.

The Knight’s insignia is a green enamelled florid cross.

Order of Columbus

The Order of Columbus was a Brazilian order of merit instituted in 1890, right after the abolition of Imperial Brazilian Orders.

Time Period: Pre-WW1
Institution: 6 June 1890
Country: Brazil

The Order of Columbus (or Ordem de Colombo in Portuguese) was a Brazilian order of merit instituted on 6 June 1890, right after the abolition of all the Imperial Brazilian Orders.

When the first constitution of the Brazilian republic was created, the Order of Columbus was abolished (24 February 1891).

Classes of the Order of Columbus

The Order of Columbus had the following grades:

Grandmaster
Grand Cross (12 real and 24 honorary)
Grand Officer (50 dignataries)
Officer (150 of them)
Knights (An unlimited number)

Order of Cultural Merit

The Order of Cultural Merit is a Brazilian honor established in 1991 and bestowed by the Ministry of Culture for contributions to culture.

Time Period: Post-WW2
Institution: 1995
Country: Brazil

The Order of Cultural Merit (or Ordem do Mérito Cultural in Portuguese) is a Brazilian honor established in 1991 and bestowed by the Ministry of Culture for contributions to Brazilian culture. The order can be given to national and foreign personalities and bodies, private and public.

The recipients of the Order of Cultural Merit are selected by a Council composed of the Minister of State for Culture (as Chancellor) and the Ministers of State for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, and Foreign Affairs.

Since 1995, over 500 personalities have been honored in the three classes of the Order of Cultural Merit (60 institutions have also received the medal without grade classes).

Classes of the Order of Cultural Merit

The Order of Cultural Merit has three ranks of merit:

Grand Cross (Grã-Cruz)
Commander (Comendador)
Knight (Cavaleiro)

The National Order of Cultural Merit Medal Design

The insignia of the Order of Cultural Merit is a cross of St. James of the Sword enameled and profiled in white gold. In the center is an open book carved gold over a laurel wreath surrounded by the legend “Ordem do Mérito Cultural”.

The Grand Cross of the order is a purple band with the insignia on the loop and a gold glow under the banner. The commander’s insignia hangs on the center and the Knight’s has a ribbon with the insignia on the tip end.

Order of Rio Branco

The Order of Rio Branco is a Brazilian award established in 1963 and named in honor of the Brazilian Baron of Rio Branco.

Time Period: Post-WW2
Institution: 5 April 1963
Country: Brazil

The Order of Rio Branco (or Ordem de Rio Branco in Portguese) is a Brazilian award established on 5 February 1963 and named in honor of Brazilian diplomat José Paranhos, Baron of Rio Branco.

The Order of Rio Branco is usually granted to personnel of the Brazilian Foreign Ministry or to foreigners for achievements in diplomacy.

The Grand Master of the Order is the President of Bazil, and the order’s Chancellor is the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The motto of the order is “UBIQUE PATRIAE MEMOR”.

Classes of the Order of Rio Branco

The Order of Rio Branco has six ranks of merit:

Grand Cross (Grã-Cruz)
Grand Officer (Grande-Oficial)
Commander (Comendador)
Officer (Oficial)
Knight (Cavaleiro)
Medal

The National Order of Rio Branco Medal Design

The ribbon of the Brazilian Order of Rio Branco is blue with white eddes.

Order of Aeronautical Merit (Brazil)

The Order of Aeronautical Merit is a Brazilian award established in 1943 and presented for distinguished service in the Air Force.

Time Period: World War II Period
Institution: 1 November 1943
Country: Brazil

The Order of Aeronautical Merit (or Ordem do Mérito Aeronáutico in Portuguese) is a Brazilian award established in 1943 and presented for exceptional contributions and distinguished service in the Brazilian Air Force.

Classes of the Order of Aeronautical Merit

The Order of Aeronautical Merit has five grades:

Grand Cross (Grã-Cruz)
Grand Officer (Grande-Oficial)
Commander (Comendador)
Officer (Oficial)
Knight (Cavaleiro)

The National Order of Aeronautical Merit Medal Design

The ribbon of the Order of the Aeronautical Medal is blue with white edges and three thin white lines.

Order of Naval Merit (Brazil)

The Order of Naval Merit is a Brazilian award established in 1934 and presented for distinguished service and contributions.

Time Period: Interwar Period
Institution: 4 July 1934
Country: Brazil

The Order of Naval Merit (or Ordem do Mérito Naval in Portuguese) is a Brazilian award established on 4 July 1934 by president Getúlio Vargas and presented to those who have served with distinction in the Brazilian Navy or have contributed in some way to it.

Classes of the Order of Naval Merit

The Order of Naval Merit has five grades:

Grand Cross (Grã-Cruz)
Grand Officer (Grande-Oficial)
Commander (Comendador)
Officer (Oficial)
Knight (Cavaleiro)

The National Order of Naval Merit Medal Design

The obverse of the Order of Naval Merit medal bears the effigy of the republic surrounded by a circle of blue enamel. On it is the inscription “Naval Merit”.

The reverse shows the word “Brasil” inscribed in the same blue circle.

The ribbon consists of a red grosgrain chamalotada with a light blue stripe in the center.

Order of Military Merit (Brazil)

The Order of Military Merit is a Brazilian award established in 1934 and presented for distinguished service and contributions.

Time Period: Interwar Period
Institution: 11 July 1934
Country: Brazil

The Order of Military Merit (or Ordem do Mérito Militar in Portuguese) is a Brazilian award established in 1934 and presented for distinguished service and exceptional contributions to the country.

It can be awarded to members of the Brazilian army and friendly nations’ armies.

Classes of the Order of Military Merit

The Order of Defence Merit has five grades:

Grand Cross (Grã-Cruz)
Grand Officer (Grande-Oficial)
Commander (Comendador)
Officer (Oficial)
Knight (Cavaleiro)

The National Order of Military Merit Medal Design

The ribbon of the Brazilian Order of Defence Merit is green with outer white stripes and edges.

Order of Defence Merit (Brazil)

The Order of Defence Merit is a Brazilian award established in 2002 and presented for exceptional military service.

Time Period: Post-WW2
Institution: 10 June 2002
Country: Brazil

The Order of Defence Merit (or Ordem do Mérito da Defesa in Portuguese) is a Brazilian award established on 10 June 2002 and presented for exceptional military service and contributions to the country. The Order of Defence Merit was presented by presidential decree to replace the Order of Merit of the Armed Forces.

The award can be given to members of the Brazilian Military and friendly nations’ armies. In some cases, it’s also been awarded to civilians, institutions, and organizations.

In order of precedence, the Order of Defence Merit is the second-most important award in the country.

Classes of the Order of Defence Merit