The orders, decorations, and medals of Estonia mainly refer to the Estonian state decorations or Estonian national decorations are six awards given by the President of Estonia. The majority are given in honour of the nation's independence, celebrated on 24 February, as well as on state visits.
The awards recognise acts of defense, public service, culture, and those that are humanitarian in nature. These decorations are governed by the State Decorations Act. The six Estonian state decorations are the Order of the National Coat of Arms, Order of the White Star, Order of the Cross of the Eagle, Order of the Estonian Red Cross, Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, Cross of Liberty.
Background State orders, the highest recognition in Estonia, honour exceptional service. An example is the Order of the National Coat of Arms, established in 1936, which is awarded to high-ranking Estonian officials. State orders have included military decorations, like the Cross of Liberty, which was awarded to those who defended Estonia during times of war.
Estonia's system for state decorations was created after World War I. The state decorations were first established in 1919. Additional state decorations were codified in 1936 and created up until 1937. The first Estonian state decoration that was established after the Estonian War of Independence was the Cross of Liberty. It was given on 24 February 1919. The Cross of Terra Mariana was introduced by President Lennart Meri.
The awards were reinstated when Estonia regained independence in 1991, after Soviet occupation. Awards recognise significant community or national contributions.
Estonian state decorations have been manufactured by various companies, including OÜ Roman Tavast and OÜ Miniplast Pluss. The companies will at times be tasked with completing different parts of the awards.
Types Each of the awards holds different significance. The Cross of Liberty was a military decoration awarded for military bravery. The Order of the National Coat of Arms is the highest civilian honour for Estonian citizens. The Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana honours foreign contributors to Estonia's interests.The Order of the White Star recognises civil and societal services and the Order of the Cross of the Eagle is awarded for national defence contributions. Finally, the Order of the Estonian Red Cross typically honours those in healthcare or who have saved lives.
Display A display of Estonian State Decorations is located on the 5th floor of the Tõnismäe building of the National Library of Estonia. It was completed in 2008 for the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia and was established in cooperation with the State Chancellery. It underwent renovations with a planned reopening in 2027. The gallery's sample collection of state decorations includes the Cross of Liberty, which is no longer bestowed. It however does not include the special class for the Order of the National Coat of Arms.
The branch that currently oversees the collection of Estonian state decorations is the Office of the President of Estonia. Since 2008, the Office of the President has been officially in charge of handling the state awards.The President of the Republic is tasked with bestowing awards.
Protocol Decorations are laid out in the 2007 State Decorations Act Pre-war decorations, though not necessarily all of their classes, were restored through the Decorations Act and its amending acts. The most recent version of the act was passed as an Estonian law on 19 December 2007.
Some awards have been given posthumously. The awards can be given to citizens and foreigners depending on the type of award.Decorations are worn in a specific order during special events, such as national holidays and state visits. Decorations can be revoked for criminal convictions or dishonourable conduct.The Estonian State Decorations Act allows for the withdrawal of state decorations upon a final court conviction for intentional criminal offences.
Cross of Liberty Order of the National Coat of Arms Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana Order of the White Star Order of the Cross of the Eagle Order of the Estonian Red Cross
Orders have multiple classes, with collars and stars for senior ranks and medals for lower distinctions. Designs include national symbols on coloured ribbons, categorised as state orders or military distinctions. The class structure of the state decorations varies for each award. The Cross of Liberty, awarded for military, gallant, and civilian service, has three degrees numbered I to III, with the 1st degree of the II class not yet awarded. The Order of the National Coat of Arms, a collar used as the president's badge of office, has five classes numbered I to V, but medals do not exist in the restored Republic of Estonia. The Order of the White Star, also a collar with five classes numbered I to V and one medal class, and the Order of the Cross of the Eagle, with three medal classes, lack a collar. The Order of the Estonian Red Cross, with a collar, five classes numbered I to V, and one medal class, and the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, with a collar, five classes numbered I to V, also lack medals.
Cross of Liberty
Insignia Ribbon Name Cross of Liberty (for military service) Cross of Liberty (for gallantry in action) Cross of Liberty (for civilian service) Order of the National Coat of Arms
The Order of the National Coat of Arms is Estonia's highest state decoration for citizens, recognising long-term civil service. The current collar of the Order of the National Coat of Arms is a copy of the original, which, for unknown reasons, is located in the Armoury of the Moscow Kremlin and has not yet been returned to the Estonian state.
Insignia Ribbon Name Order of the National Coat of Arms, 1st Class Order of the National Coat of Arms, 2nd Class Order of the National Coat of Arms, 3rd Class Order of the National Coat of Arms, 4th Class Order of the National Coat of Arms, 5th Class Order of the National Coat of Arms, Collar
Selected awardees
Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana The Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, Estonia's highest state decoration for foreign nationals, has six classes and honours. It was established in 1994 by President Lennart Meri to foreigners who had contributed to Estonia's independence.
Insignia + Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana Insignia 1st Class 3rd Class 4th Class 5th Class Collar 1st class badge 1st class star 3rd class badge3rd class badge4th class badge 5th class badge Collar badge starCollar badge Collar
Ribbon Name Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, 1st Class Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, 2nd Class Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, 3rd Class Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, 4th Class Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, 5th Class
Order of the White Star Insignia
Ribbon Name Order of the White Star, 1st Class Order of the White Star, 2nd Class Order of the White Star, 3rd Class Order of the White Star, 4th Class Order of the White Star, 5th Class Selected awardees
Order of the Cross of the Eagle The Order of the Cross of the Eagle, established in 1928 by the Estonian National Defence League, honours national independence and recognises achievements in national defence operations.
Insignia
Ribbon Name Order of the Cross of the Eagle, 1st Class Order of the Cross of the Eagle, 2nd Class Order of the Cross of the Eagle, 3rd Class Order of the Cross of the Eagle, 4th Class Order of the Cross of the Eagle, 5th Class Gold Cross of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle Silver Cross of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle Iron Cross of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle
Order of the Estonian Red Cross Insignia
Ribbon Name Order of the Estonian Red Cross, 1st Class Order of the Estonian Red Cross, 2nd Class Order of the Estonian Red Cross, 3rd Class Order of the Estonian Red Cross, 4th Class Order of the Estonian Red Cross, 5th Class Medal of the Order of the Estonian Red Cross
Notable awardees Since the state's independence in 1991, every prime minister of Estonia has been awarded the 2nd Class Order of the National Coat of Arms.