State decoration

State decorations are medals and orders granted by a sovereign state.

Unlike non-state decorations, state decorations are regulated by the state. Such regulations may specify:

• Lists of decorations which may be worn on military and civil uniform
• The manner in which decorations are to be worn
• Restrictions on the acceptance of foreign decorations by citizens

State decorations may be divided into civil decorations and military decorations.

State decorations normally include one or more of the following components:

• Medals and other decorations suspended from ribbon pinned to the breast
• Women's decorations suspended from a bow worn pinned to the breast
• Neck decorations suspended from narrow ribands around the neck
• Broad ribands worn over one shoulder (on which may be suspended a decoration)
• Breast stars pinned to the lower breast

See also:

• British and Commonwealth orders and decorations
• Military decoration
• List of military decorations
• List of prizes, medals, and awards