|
ORDERS AND DECORATIONS OF POLAND Republic of Poland since 1990 (Click here to see updates) |
1.Obverse(Medal Gloria Medicinae)
Instituted in 1990, conferred for the first time on June 24, 1991, as the highest organizational honor. It is conferred by the award's chapter annually to medical doctors who rendered outstanding merit to medical science, bringing patients relief in pain and suffering. No more than ten doctors can be awarded in any one year.
Badge: silver medal, 60 mm of diameter, worn as a neck decoration. Obverse: the society's emblem - a shield with an Esculapus stick, surmounted by a crowned Polish eagle. and inscribed GLORIA : MEDICINAE (glory to medical science); the whole is surrounded by the inscription POLSKIE TOWARZYSTWO LEKARSKIE. Reverse: portrait of Jozef Strus (1510-1568), court physician of king of Poland Sigmundus Augustus (1529-1572), surrounded by the Latin motto FLOREAT RES MEDICA (may flower medical science) : JOZEF STRUS, and the years 1510 : 1568. The medal has a triangular device to attaching the ribbon.
Ribbon: 43 mm, cobalt blue with claret side stripes.
1.Obverse(Medal im. dr. Henryka Jordana)
Instituted in 1974 as the highest honor of the Society. Conferred in a single class to individuals, and organizations for metitorious activities for children, particularly for organizing sports teams, games and facilities. It is conferred on the Children's Day (June 1) and Education Day (October 14). The medal is named in honor of Dr. Henryk Jordan (1842-1907), medicine doctor and pioneer of sports activities for children. He was a founder of a park in Cracow, where children and young people could play and exercise. After regaining independence in 1918 a number of the so called "Jordan gardens" were organized all over Poland.
Badge: bronze medal, 31mm in diameter. Obverse: the head of Dr. Jordan. Reverse: letter sTPD upon which a three line inscription MEDAL / IM DR H JORDANA / JORDANA is superimposed.
Suspension: light blue ribbon, 30 mm wide with a broad white central stripe, or an enameled bar 24 x 17 mm of the same colors.
see People's Republic of Poland 1944-89
Polish scouting organization, established 1918 as the result of unification of various scouting
organizations operating in Polish soil from 1911. 1939-45 in conspiracy, restored 1945.
From ca. 1948 it was being gradually undergoing communist indoctrination; in 1950 included
in the communist Polish Youth Federation (Zwiazek Mlodziezy Polskieh), restored
as an independent organization in 1956. In the early 1980s the organization started referring to
the pre-war traditions. Since 1988 it has been coming back to the old traditions.
POLISH SCOUT ASSOCIATION
(ZWIAZEK HARCERSTWA POLSKIEGO - ZHP)* * *
1.Gold
Cross
2.Silver Cross with "Rosette"
(Krzyz "Za Zaslugi dla Zwiazku Harcerstwa Polskiego")
Instituted by the Commandant of the Polish Scout Association's order of July 1, 1965 as the Polish Scout Association Decoration of Honor (Odznaka honorowa Zwiazku Harcerstwa Polskiego), and authorized to wear by Minister of the Interior. The decoration replaced the decoration of the same name, instituted in 1946. It was initially worn without a ribbon, mounted with a screw to the uniform. In 1969 the decoration was renamed to the present name and the ribbon was added. Conferred initially in a single class (silver) to members and instructors of the Polish Scout Association, as well as to non-members who rendered outstanding merit to the organization. The upper grade, Gold Cross of Merit (Zloty Krzyz Zaslugi) was instituted in 1979, and in 1984 a special badge, called somewhat misleadingly "rosette," was authorized to wear on the decoration ribbon for all current and former organization members who being scouts took active part in the struggle against nazi Germany.
Badge: non-enameled cross of gilt or silver metal, 38 x 38 mm, with slightly concave arm sides and bases, similar to Virtuti Militari. In the center there is a triangular lance pennon, enameled half white half red, with the abbreviation ZHP (Zwiazek Harcerstwa Polskiego) across and surrounded by an oval gilt laurel wreath. The reverse of the badge is plain.
"Rosette": an open-work gothic shield of white metal, 25.5 x 10.5 mm (there also exist copies 26 x 16 mm). The badge shows two vertical swords pointed down and a symbolic lily (symbol of Polish scout movement) in the center. The badge is mounted solely on the silver cross ribbon.
Ribbon: 30 mm, brown with pale green side stripes.
see People's Republic of Poland 1944-89
see People's Republic of Poland 1944-89
see People's Republic of Poland 1944-89
see People's Republic of Poland 1944-89
A paramilitary organization established by decree of the President of the Republic of 1936 as the Junackie Hufce Pracy, reestablished in 1958, provided young people without professional qualifications with vocational courses and seasonal work. Until 1989 it was subordinated to the Polish Socialist Youth Association.
1.Obverse (silver)(Odznaka "Za Zaslugi dla Ochotniczych Hufcow Pracy")
Instituted in 1974 by decision of Minister of the Interior. The highest award of the organization, awarded in three classes (gold, silver and bronze) to individuals and organizational bodies for merit to the organization and long work for it.
Badge: round medal, 22 mm in diameter. Obverse: the emblem of the organization on white enameled background - a stylized outline map of Poland with green letters OHP and a white and red scroll above. The whole is surrounded by a ring with corn in the lower and a gearwheel in the upper half. Reverse: blank.
Suspension: metal bar 22 x 5 mm, of white and red horizontal stripes and with a mounting pin on reverse.
Ribbon 1974: 35 mm, similar to the suspension; 1999 (project) - medium blue (the color of the organization's uniform) with white (inner) and red edges, separated from the center by narrow green stripes.
Established 1929 as the the Union of Polish Hunting Associations (Polski Zwiazek
Stowarzyszen Lowieckich), renamed 1936. The objectives of the organization is to cherish and popularize the traditions of Polish hunting, develop friendly relations between polish hunters, protect forest animals and guard the principles of the hunting code.
POLISH HUNTING SOCIETY
(POLSKI ZWIAZEK LOWIECKI - PZL)* * *
1.Badge
(Odznaczenie Polskiego Zwiazku Lowieckiego "ZLOM")
Instituted on November 28, 1929 as the "ZLOM" Honorary Plaque of Merit (Honorowy Zeton Zaslugi "ZLOM"), renamed 1933. The highest award of the Society conferred for outstanding merit to Polish hunting and the Society. It is conferred by the award college of the Society.
Badge: golden plaque, 25 x 16 mm, in the form of the combined fir and beech sprays. On the reverse there is a mounting screw.
1.Obverse(Medal Swietego Huberta)
Instituted by decision of the Commission for Hunting Awards of the Warsaw branch of the Society of December 16, 1992. Conferred in one class (silver) to members or non-members of the Society, for merit in cherishing and popularizing hunting traditions in Poland. It is awarded every five years on November 3, and so far there have been only two conferment, in 1993 and in 1998.
Badge: round medal, 32 x 37 mm. On the obverse the scene of the meeting of St. Hubertus and deer with the Holy Cross in his antlers is depicted. The reverse a three-line inscription POLSKI / ZWIAZEK / LOWIECKI and the year of confermnet below, surrounded by a wreath of fir and oak.
Suspension: 35 x 13 mm, in the form of fir and oak sprays, with a mounting pin on reverse.
1.Gold Medal(Medal Zaslugi Lowieckiej)
Instituted on December 11, 1929, by the Union of Polish Hunting Associations, originally as the Medal of Merit in the Field of Hunting; the name was altered to the present in 1933, and the medal itself was renewed in November 1945. Awarded in three grades, for merit in organization of Polish hunting, animal breeding, supporting of hunting culture, care of wild animals, particularly of endangered species, etc. The medal can be conferred also to the whole associations, as well as to the forest service in Poland.
Badge: gold, silver or bronze medal, 33.5 mm of diameter. Obverse: a likeness of a hunter blowing the horn, with a forest in the background; on the right there is the inscription POLSKI / ZWIAZEK / LOWIECKI (Polish Hunting Union - until 1933: POLSKI / ZWIAZEK / STOWARZYSZEN / LOWIECKICH - Union of Polish Hunting Associations). The reversedepicts the "ZLOM" Decoration.
Ribbon: originally green; later - green with red edges.
1.Badge(Odznaka "Za Zaslugi dla Lowiectwa")
Instituted on June 26, 1966. Conferred in one class, basically to non-members for merit to Polish hunting and the Society.
Badge: 26 x 27 mm, in the form of a gilt three-pointed star with a stylized geen enameled fir spray superimposed on it. The center depicts a woodgrouse, surrounded by the insctiption ZA ZASLUGI DLA LOWIECTWA. On the reverse there is a mounting screw.
Note: besides the decorations described above, there is a variety of other decorations and medals conferred by regional branches of the Polish Hunting Society.
1.Obverse(Order Usmiechu)
Instituted in 1968. The only decoration of the world conferred by children to those adults, irrespective of nationality, statehood and profession, for a heart for children. So far the order has been granted to actors, writers, doctors and to many others. Its conferment is accompanied by a special ceremony, during which recipients must drink a cup of lemon juice to the bottom, keeping a smile on their faces.
Badge: round, light blue enameled gilt medal, 35 mm of diameter. Obverse: a golden smiling sun as if drawn by a child's hand. Reverse: non-enameled, bears the handwritten looking inscription Order Usmiechu.
Ribbon: 25 mm, white with woven golden leaves and blue forget-me-nots.
1.Grand Cross(Order Swietego Stanislawa)
Instituted on May 7, 1765 by king Stanislas Augustus, originally in a single class. Suppressed after the partition of Poland of 1794 and renewed in the Grand Duchy of Warsw in 1807. With creation of the Kingdom of Poland in 1815, the order was retained, divided into four classes and conferred mostly for civilian merit. In 1832, after the collapse of the uprising of 1830 it was added to the system of Russian awards, where it remained until 1917. In the restituted Poland the order was not renewed (it was replaced by the Badge: gold Maltese cross with ball finials, with the arms of the obverse covered by red enamel. Between the arms there are four stylized white enameled crowned eagles. Between the corners of the side and the lower arms there are small gilt laurel sprays with a rose in the middle. The central medallion depicts the likeness of St. Stanislas on white background, between the letters S. S. The medallion is encircled by a green laurel wreath. Medallion reverse: the royal cypher SAR (Stanislas Augustus Rex) of king Stanislas Augustus, red on white background. The dimensions of the badge are 76 x 76 mm (Grand Cross), 67 x 67 mm (Grand Commander and Commander) or 50 x 50 mm (Officer and Member).
Star: 80 mm, of eight sets of plain rays. Medallion: the royal cypher Stanislas Augustus, red on white background, surrounded by a white ring with the Latin motto of the order PRAEMIANDO INCITAT (encourages through rewarding), the whole being encircled by a green laurel wreath. The star to the class of the Grand Cross is golden, to the class of the Grand Commander is silver. Both stars are worn on the left.
Ribbon: red with double white side stripes (currently made ribbons have an extra narrow red edge pinstripe). The width of the ribbons is 98 mm (Grand Cross), 52 mm (Grand Commander and Commander) or 40 mm (Officer and Member). There is a rosetee on the ribbon of the Officer's badge.
(Order Bialego Kruka)
Under this name there are a few different awards sharing the common feature of being conferred to individuals who are in some way related to books, printers, editors, librarians, booksellers or just book lovers. The first chapter of the Order of the White Raven was Instituted in Cracow on February 13, 1930 in four classes, probably a Grand Cross, Commander, Officer and Member. The aim of the chapter was to "establish an alliance between book lovers and the objects of their love from the racks." Between 1930 and 1961 the order was granted to 21 individuals for merit in the area of literature, arts and librarianship (the order with Sash of Incunabulum and Cimelia) and in the area of printing, book illustating and binding (the order with Sash of the White Mouse). On June 27, 1992 the Cracow Chapter of the order was renewed.
On June 12, 1976 the Society of Booklovers in Lublin, on the ccoassion of its 50th anniversary instituted the Order of the White Raven with Sunflower, better known under its Latin name of Signum Albi Corvi cum Heliantho. Until May 1999 the order was conferred to 23 individuals. The badge is a cravat decoration.
Badge (Cracow) 1930: detailed description is not knonw, but it was basically a round medallion, enameled white or blue and depicting a white raven in the center. The reverse was blank.
Badge (Cracow) 1992: each particular badge is different from the others and is a piece of art. Basically the badge is silver, triangular with the image of a white raven on dark background in the center. In some badges there are some extra additons, like an open book or ciphers.
Badge (Lublin): triangular, each edge being 55 mm long, with gilt edges and the white raven on light blue background in the center. In the corners of the triangle there are the letters S : A : C (Signum Albi Corvi). On the reverse there is the recipient's name engraved, the years 1926-1976 and the serial number. The badge has a pendant in the form of a gilt sunflower, 28 mm in diameter, commemorating the title of the first book printed in Lublin in 1630.
Ribbon: Cracow Chapter (1930) - blue and red; Cracow Chapter (1992) - half black half light blue; Lublin Chapter - 30 mm, light blue with white side stripes.
(Order Pomiana)
Instituted in 1965 on suggestion of Dr. Tadeusz Przypkowski (1905-1977), historian, bibliophil and connoisseur of food and eating. The ovjective of the order is to honor the best chefs and caterers in Poland and abroad. It is conferred in a single class, worn as a cravat decoration. The Latin motto of the order is MATERIAM SUPERATA OPUS.
Badge: 40 x 50 mm, in the form of a silver chalice, which is at the same time a shield with the "Pomian" coat of arms (the coat of arms of the Przypkowski family) - a black bison's head. Instead of the swords, the head is crossed by the fork and knife.
Ribbon: 40 mm, half red half yellow. The ribbon as a silver latch in the form of a noodle.
ORDER OF THE WHITE RAVEN
(KAPITULA ORDERU BIALEGO KRUKA)
1.Badge (Cracow) 1992
2.Badge (Lublin)
[Badge with Incunabulum and Cimelia ]
Order of the White Raven
ORDER OF POMIAN
(KAPITULA ORDERU POMIANA)
1.Badge
[Badge with the ribbon and box]
Order of Pomian
© Lukasz Gaszewski 1997,
[Index page]
