The Order of the Aztec Eagle

• Time Period: Interwar Period
• Institution: 1933
• Country: Mexico

The Order of the Aztec Eagle (or Orden Mexicana del Águila Azteca in Spanish) is the highest Mexican order awarded to foreigners in the country and forms part of the Mexican Honours System. It’s awarded for services to the Mexican nation or to humanity, and it’s reciprocally given to Mexican public service providers living abroad.

The order was created by decree on December 29, 1933 by President Abelardo L. Rodríguez although it is based on the temporal Aztec Eagle decoration, which was created on September 30, 1932. This award had a light blue ribbon and was given as a thank you to foreigners, in particular to ministers from the Chilean Foreign Issues Office.

It corresponds to similar distinctions given to Mexican citizens such as the Miguel Hidalgo Order or the Belisario Domínguez Medal of Honor. It is given by the office of the foreign minister on the instructions of a Council established for this purpose headed by the President.

The Order of the Aztec Eagle Design

There is some design similarity of the order with the coat of arms of Mexico, particularly the golden eagle holding a rattlesnake, which is associated with the Aztec civilization.

Prior to the 2011 reform, the classes were, in descending order:

1.  Collar (“Collar”), awarded to heads of state;
2.  Grand Cross (“Cruz”), awarded to prime ministers and heads of government
3.  Sash (“Banda”), awarded to government ministers, secretaries and ambassadors
4.  Medal (“Medalla”), awarded to government undersecretaries, plenipotentiary ministers, as well to those whose category is tantamount to the previous;
5.  Placard (“Placa”), awarded to ad hoc business representatives, colonels and lieutenant colonels, captains of a ship, equivalent servants of embassies in Mexico), as well to those whose category is tantamount to the previous;
6.  Venera (a type of insignia), awarded to ad interim business representatives and other members of diplomatic missions;
7.  Insignia proper, awarded under the Council’s discretion; and
8.  Honorable Mention (“Mención Honorífica”).

Since the reform of March 2011, the classes are :

1.  Collar (“Collar”), awarded to heads of state;
2.  Sash of Special Category (“Banda en Categoría Especial”), awarded to prime ministers and heads of government, hereditary princes(ses), consorts of heads of state, or to people whose category is tantamount to the previous;
3.  Sash (“Banda”), awarded to government ministers, secretaries, members of royal families, ambassadors, or individuals whose category is tantamount to the previous;
4.  Plaque (“Placa”), awarded to government undersecretaries, plenipotentiary ministers, consuls general, brigadier generals, rear admirals, as well to those whose category is tantamount to the previous;
5.  Venera (a type of insignia), awarded to ad hoc business representatives, colonels and lieutenant colonels, captains of a ship, equivalent servants of embassies in Mexico, as well to those whose category is tantamount to the previous;
6.  Insignia, awarded to ad interim business representatives and other members of diplomatic missions; captain, navy lieutenant, as well to those whose category is tantamount to the previous and to those cases the Council considers pertinent.

All grades except the collar may be awarded, under the Council’s discretion, to distinguished foreigners.