Orders, decorations, and medals of Ethiopia

Orders, decorations, and medals of Ethiopia are awards of the government of Ethiopia which are typically issued for sustained meritorious service, whether it be in a civilian capacity or in their capacity in the Ethiopian National Defense Force. They are governed by the laws of Ethiopia on awards.

Ethiopian Empire and modern era

During the socialist era in Ethiopia from 1974 to 1991, after the abolishment of the Empire and the institution of the Derg (later the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia), few Imperial Orders or Decorations were issued. During preparations for the return of the Ethiopian monarchy, and upon the death of Emperor Amha Selassie, the Crown Council now gained responsibility over Imperial Orders and Decorations. The following orders comprise all Imperial Honours sanctioned by the Crown Council of Ethiopia: ^[1]

•   Order of Solomon ^[2]
•   Order of the Seal of Solomon
•   Order of the Queen of Sheba
•   Order of the Holy Trinity
•   Order of Menelik II
•   Order of the Star of Ethiopia
•   Order of Saint Anthony
• Order of Emperor Haile Selassie I
• Order of the Ethiopian Lion

Military and Civil Decorations: ^{[1] [3]}

• Military Medal of Merit of the Order of St. George
• Distinguished Military Medal of Haile Selassie the First
• Gold Medal of Menelik II
• Gold Medal of Haile Selassie I
• Silver Medal of Menelik II
• Silver Medal of Haile Selassie I
• Lalibela Cross
• Refugees’ Medal
• Emperor Haile Selassie I & Empress Menen Celebration Medal
• Centenary of the Victory of Adwa Medal
• Medal of Scholarship
• Royal Medal of the Lion
• Purple Heart
• Medal for Defence of the Country

Socialist Ethiopia (1974-1991)

Negarit Gazetta Medals and Insignias Proclamation, Number 157, March 1979

MEDAL	AWARDED	DESCRIPTION	MATERIAL	DEMENSIONS	RIBBON DESCRIPTION	RIBBON BAR
THE MEDAL OF HERO OF SOCIALIST ETHIOPIA	The Medal of Hero of Socialist Ethiopia is the highest award that may be bestowed upon an Ethiopian individual, military unit or group that has performed unparalleled feats of bravery in a battlefield.	On a five-pointed star is a red circular background on which the hammer and the sickle emblem is engraved which in turn is displayed against a background of an ornamented five-pointed surface on which appear two crossed swords held together by a wrea1h of olive leaves. On the suspender are inscribed the words: "Hero of Socialist Ethiopia."	gold-plated	40mm	yellow with a single green vertical line in the middle	32 x 12 mm
THE MEDAL OF GREATLY DISTINGUISHED FEATS OF BRAVERY	The Medal of Greatly Distinguished Feats of Bravery is an award, that may be bestowed upon an Ethiopian who has achieved beyond the call of ordinary duty, feats of extraordinary bravery on the battlefield.	On a five-pointed star is a red circular background on which the hammer and the sickle emblem is engraved which in turn is displayed against a background of an ornamented five-pointed surface on which appear two crossed swords held together by a wreath of olive leaves. On the suspender are inscribed the words: "For Heroism."	silver plated	40mm	Yellow with a single green vertical line in the middle.	32 x 12 mm
THE MEDAL OF DISTINGUISHED FEATS OF BRAVERY 1st rank	The Medal of Distinguished Feats of Bravery 1st Rank may be awarded to an Ethiopian who has, beyond the call of ordinary duty, achieved very honorable feats of bravery on the battlefield.	On a five-pointed star is a red circular background on which the hammer and the sickle emblem is engraved which in tum is displayed against a background of an ornamented five-pointed surface on which appear two crossed swords held together by a wreath of olive leaves, On the suspender are inscribed the words: "For Courageous Feats of Bravery."	copper	35mm	green with a single yellow vertical line in the middle	32 x 12 mm
THE MEDAL OF THE WOUNDED	The Medal of the Wounded shall be awarded to a person wounded on the battlefield.	On a circular surface on which is engraved the emblem of the hammer, and the sickle are a heart design made from red enamel, crossed rifles, a wreath of olive leaves and a star. On the suspender are inscribed the words: "Wounded While on Duty."	copper	35mm	White with a single reddish-purple vertical line in the middle	32 x 12 mm
THE MEDAL OF HERO OF LABOUR OF SOCIALIST ETHIOPIA 1st RANK	The Medal of Hero of Labor of Socialist Ethiopia 1st. Rank is an award that may be bestowed upon a person or an organization that has, through manual or mental labor, or by way of invention or in any other field, scored the greatest achievement in the interest of Socialist Ethiopia.	On an ornamented radiant surface is a five-pointed star on which the hammer and the sickle emblem is engraved in red enamel. On the suspender are inscribed the words: "For Militant Struggle".	gold-plated	35mm	Red with two narrow white vertical lines.	32 x 12 mm
THE MEDAL OF HERO OF LABOUR OF SOCIALIST ETHIOPIA 2nd RANK	The Medal of Hero of Labor of Socialist Ethiopia 2nd Rank is an award that may be bestowed upon a person or organization that has, through manual or mental labor, or by way of invention or in any other field, scored very great achievement in the interest of Socialist Ethiopia.	A twenty-pointed star.	obverse: gold-plated, reverse: silver-plated	35mm	Red with two narrow white vertical lines.	32 x 12 mm
THE MEDAL OF HERO OF LABOUR OF SOCIALIST EIHIOPIA 3rd RANK	The Medal of Hero of Labor of Socialist Ethiopia 3rd Rank is an award that may be bestowed upon a person or an organization that has, through manual or mental labor, or by way of invention or in any other field, scored great achievement in the interest of Socialist Ethiopia.	A twenty-pointed star.	silver-plated	35mm	Green with a single yellow vertical line along the right and left edges.	32 x 12 mm
THE MEDAL OF ESTEEMABLE MILITARY SERVICE	The Medal of Estimable Military Service is an award that may be bestowed upon any member of the Armed Forces who is reputed for his hard work and leadership qualities, commended for his exemplary conduct and revolutionary morality and military proficiency.	On an ornamented radiant surface is displayed the design of a bee on a five-pointed star. On the suspender are inscribed the words: "For Estimable Service".	gold-plated	35mm	A deep green.	32 x 12 mm
MEDAL OF NATIONAL SERVICE 1st rank	The Medal of National Service 1st Rank is an award that may be bestowed upon any person who has with revolutionary morality, loyalty and conscientiously served in the public service for not less than twenty years.	On a circular surface with a five-pointed star are designs of a sprocket wheel, a compass, and a book. On the suspender are inscribed the words: "For Long and Dedicated National Service".	gold-plated	35mm	White with an orange vertical line in the middle	32 x 12 mm
MEDAL OF NATIONAL SERVICE 2nd rank	The Medal of National Service 2nd Rank is an award that may be bestowed upon any person who has with revolutionary morality, loyalty and conscientiously served in the public service for not less than fifteen years.	On a circular surface with a five-pointed star are designs of a sprocket wheel, a compass, and a book. On the suspender are inscribed the words: "For Long and Dedicated National Service".	silver-plated	35mm	Orange with a white vertical line in the middle	32 x 12 mm
MEDAL OF MILITARY SERVICE 1st rank	The Medal of Military Service 1st. Rank is an award that may be bestowed upon any member of the Armed Forces who is reputed for nis spotless record of conduct and military discipline and bas served for not less than twenty years.	On a circular surface with a five-pointed star is the design of a lion. enclosed with shields and a wreath of palm and olive leaves. On the suspender are inscribed the words: "For Long and Recognized Service".	gold-plated	35mm	White with a broad red vertical line at the right.	32 x 12 mm
MEDAL OF POLICE SERVICE 1st rank	The Medal of Police Service 1st Rank is an award that may be bestowed upon any member of the Police Force who is reputed for his spotless record of conduct and police discipline and has served for not less than twenty years.	On A circular surface with a five-pointed star arc designs of a lion, a balance and two connected olive leaves. On the suspender are inscribed the words: For Long and Recognized Service."	gold-plated	35mm	White with a broad violet vertical line at the right	32 x 12 mm
MEDAL OF POLICE SERVICE 2nd rank	The Medal of Police Service 2nd Rank is an award that may be bestowed upon any member of the Police Force who is reputed for his spotless record of conduct and police discipline and has served for not less than fifteen years.	On A circular surface with a five-pointed star arc designs of a lion, a balance and two connected olive leaves. On the suspender are inscribed the words: For Long and Recognized Service."	silver plated	35mm	White with a violet-yellow-violet vertical line at the left	32 x 12 mm
THE MEDAL OF HERO OF SOCIALIST ETHIOPIA	The Medal of Hero of Socialist Ethiopia is the highest award that may be bestowed upon an Ethiopian individual, military unit or group that has performed unparalleled feats of bravery in a battlefield.	On a five-pointed star is a red circular back­ground on which the hammer and sickle emblem is engraved which in turn is dis­played against a background of an orna­mented five-pointed surface on which appear two crossed swords held together by a wreath of olive leave; on the fastener of the suspender are inscribed the words: "For Unparalleled Feats of Bravery".	gold	40mm / 58 g	Green, yellow and red stripes on the left and right sides with a single white vertical line in the middle, the dimension of the ribbon is 55 x 32 mm.	32 x 12 mm
THE ORDER OF THE GRAND STAR OF HONOUR OF SOCIALIST ETHIOPIA	The Order of the Grand Star of Honor of Socialist Ethiopia is an award that may be bestowed upon a person or organization that has made, at the national or international level, exceedingly outstanding contribution in the political, social, and economic fields or in national or international welfare.	A twenty-pointed star.	gold-plated	35mm	Ethiopian tricolor of red-yellow-green.	32 x 12 mm
THE ORDER OF YEKATIT 1966 REVOLUTION 1st RANK	The Order of Yekatit 1966 Revolution 1st Rank is an award that may be bestowed upon any person or organization that has, as a participant in the struggle since Yekatit 1966, made the greatest contribution to the on-going Revolution.	On a twenty-five--pointed star are engravings of a man and a woman holding aloft the red flag, the Hammer, and the sickle.	gold-plated	35mm	A deep red.	32 x 12 mm
THE ORDER OF YEKATIT 1966 REVOLUTION 2nd RANK	The Order of Yekatit 1966 Revolution 2nd Rank is an award that may be bestowed upon any person or organization that has, as a participant in the struggle since Yekatit 1966, made very great contribution to the on-going Revolution.	On a twenty-five--pointed star are engravings of a man and a woman holding aloft the red flag, the Hammer, and the sickle.	silver-plated and red paint	35mm	red with a single yellow vertical line along each edge.	32 x 12 mm
THE ORDER OF YEKATIT 1966 REVOLUTION 3rd RANK	The Order of Yekatit 1966 Revolution 3rd Rank is an award that may be bestowed upon any person or organization that has, as a participant in the struggle since Yekatit 1966, made great contribution to the on-going Revolution.	On a twenty-five--pointed star are engravings of a man and a woman holding aloft the red flag, the Hammer, and the sickle.	gold	35mm	yellow with a single red vertical line along each edge.	32 x 12 mm
THE ORDER OF THE RED SEA 1st RANK	Tho Order of the Red Sea 1st Rank is an award that may be bestowed upon any person or organization that has made the greatest contribution to the welfare and prosperity of Ethiopia in the economic or social or political field.	On a ten-pointed star is depicted the Red Sea enclosed with a wreath. of olive leaves.	gold-plated	35mm	Brown with two yellow vertical lines in the middle	32 x 12 mm
THE ORDER OF THE RED SEA 2nd RANK	The Order of 1he Red Sea 2nd Rank is an award that may be bestowed upon any person or organization that has made a very great contribution to the welfare and prosperity of Ethiopia in the Economic or social or political field.	On a ten-pointed star is depicted the Red Sea enclosed with a wreath. of olive leaves.	wreath: gold-plated; the rest: silver-plated	35mm	Brown with a single yellow vertical line in the middle	32 x 12 mm
THE ORDER OF THE RED SEA 3rd RANK	The Order of 1he Red Sea 3rd Rank is an award that may be bestowed upon any person or organization that has made great contribution to the welfare and prosperity of Ethiopia in the Economic or social or political field.	On a ten-pointed star is depicted the Red Sea enclosed with a wreath. of olive leaves.	silver-plated	35mm	Brown with a single yellow vertical line along each edge.	32 x 12 mm
THE ORDER OF THE BLUE NILE 1st RANK	The Order of the B1ue Nile 1st Rank is an award that may be bestowed upon any person or organization that has made the greatest contribution in the interest of Ethiopia in the field of science, technology, arts, and in other similar fields and professions and in research.	In the center of a five-pointed star are the Blue Nile Falls enclosed with a wreath of olive leaves	gold-plated	35mm	A deep blue	32 x 12 mm
THE ORDER OF THE BLUE NILE 2nd RANK	The Order of the Blue Nile 2nd Rank is an award that may be bestowed upon any person or organization that has made very great contribution in the interest of Ethiopia in the field of science, technology, arts, and in other similar fields and professions and in research.	In the center of a five-pointed star are the Blue Nile Falls enclosed with a wreath of olive leaves	wreath: gold-plated; the rest: silver-plated	35mm	Blue with a single white vertical stripe along each edge.	32 x 12 mm
THE ORDER OF THE BLUE NILE 3rd RANK	The Order of the Blue Nile 3rd Rank is an award that may be bestowed upon any person organization that has made great contribution in the interest of Ethiopia in the field of science, technology, arts, and in other similar fields and professions and in research.	In the center of a five-pointed star are the Blue Nile Falls enclosed with a wreath of olive leaves	silver-plated	35mm	Blue with a single white vertical line in the middle.	32 x 12 mm
THE ORDER OF THE AFRICA 1st RANK	The Order of Africa 1st. Rank is an award that may be bestowed upon any person or organization that has made the greatest contribution to the African Continent in the economic, political, and other fields.	On a five-pointed star is the design of the map of Africa with rays beaming from it.	gold-plated	35mm	Grey with a single yellow vertical line along each edge.	32 x 12 mm
THE ORDER OF THE AFRICA 2nd RANK	The Order of Africa 2nd. Rank is an award that may be bestowed upon any person or organization that has made very great contribution to the African Continent in the economic, political and other fields.	On a five-pointed star is the design of the map of Africa with rays beaming from it.	The map of Africa and the rays: gold-plated; the rest: silver plated	35mm	Grey with a pair of yellow vertical lines on each edge	32 x 12 mm
THE ORDER OF THE AFRICA 3rd RANK	The Ortler of Africa 3rd Rank is an award that may be bestowed upon any person or organization that has made great contribution to the African Continent in the economic, political and other fields.	On a five-pointed star is the design of the map of Africa with rays beaming from it.	silver-plated	35mm	Grey with three yellow vertical lines on each edge.	32 x 12 mm	References "Religious, Traditional and Ceremonial". www.ethiopiancrown.org. Archived from the original on 19 September 2000. Retrieved 15 September 2023. "Order of Solomon". wawards.org. Retrieved 24 June 2021. "ODM of Ethiopia: Ribbon Chart". www.medals.org.uk. Retrieved 24 June 2021.