Order of the Quetzal
The Order of the Quetzal ( es. Orden del Quetzal ) was founded on March 26, 1935 by decree by the President of the Republic of Guatemala Jorge Ubico Castañeda . It is the highest distinction in the country and is named after the quetzal bird , which was a symbol of royal dignity in the Mayan times . The name was also chosen because the animal cannot be kept in captivity and is therefore a symbol of freedom.
Order classes
The order had only three classes until 1951:
Today the order consists of six classes according to international practice:
Order decoration
The order cross has a diameter of 50 mm and has five arms. Each of the golden arms, which widen outwards, is dovetail-shaped and ends with two small balls. A short, lance-shaped silver beam sits between each arm. The cross is enamelled in light blue in the middle and surrounded by a silver ring with the inscription GUATEMALA AL MERITO (Guatemala of Merit). The middle field of the medallion shows the national emblem of Guatemala, the Quetzal sitting on the roll of paper. The roll of paper is dated 1871 , the national independence day. Behind it are two rifles and two crossed sabers below . This symbolism is surrounded by a green laurel wreath. The quetzal is enameled green and red.
Carrying method
The cross hangs on a light blue ribbon with narrow white side stripes. The breast star, which is worn on the left side of the breast, has the same center piece with the quetzal sitting on it, but with a golden writing ring. A sun with 32 rays with a diameter of 90 mm takes the place of the cross. Of the rays, 16 are gold and 16 are silver. Grand officers only wear this breast star , the holders of the Grand Cross also wear a wide shoulder band in light blue, on which the described cross hangs from the right shoulder to the left hip.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ http://www.birdwatching.com.gt/observacion%20del%20quetzal/historia-reciente.html
- ↑ Uniforms market year 1937, issue 21, p. 334