Order of Merit (Portugal)

Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit

The Order of Merit ( pt . Ordem do Mérito ) was on 30 January 1929 the Portuguese President Óscar Carmona donated and is awarded to individuals and institutions that focus on public and social services to the Republic of Portugal have acquired .

Order classes

The order consists of five classes:

• Grand Cross (Grã-Cruz)
• Grand Officer (Grande-Oficial)
• Commander (Comendador)
• Officer (oficial)
• Medal (medalha)

Order decoration

The medal is a gold-rimmed, blue enameled Maltese cross , which is topped with a laurel wreath . In the overlying blue enameled medallion, which is enclosed by a white enamelled ring with the inscription BEM MERECER (Dem Merit), there is a golden five-pointed star. On the back the national coat of arms can be seen, which is surrounded by a blue enameled ring with the inscription REPÚBLICA PORTUGUESA (Portuguese Republic).

Carrying method

The grand cross is carried on a sash from the right shoulder to the left hip. Grand officer and commander decorate the award as a neck medal . The first three classes also wear the medal as a cross . In the 1st and 2nd class it is gold-plated , the III. Class is silver plated . Officers wear the award on a ribbon with a rosette on the left side of the chest.

The ribbon is black with a wide yellow central stripe.

Web links

Commons : Order for Merit (Portugal)  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

• Information on the website of the Portuguese President Archives ( Memento of November 24, 2010 in the Internet Archive )
• Legal provisions on the Portuguese religious system ( Memento of January 12, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) (PDF file; 79 kB)
• List of medal holders from 1975 to 2007 ( Memento from February 5, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) (PDF file; 2.56 MB)