Order of the Aztec Eagle
| Order of the Aztec Eagle | |
|---|---|
| File:Order of the Aztec Eagle.jpg The Order of the Aztec Eagle | |
Awarded by  Mexico | |
| Type | Order |
| Established | 1933 |
| Awarded for | Services given to Mexico or to humankind |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Grades | Collar Cross Band Medal Placard Venera Insignia |
 Ribbon of the Order of the Aztec Eagle | |
The Order of the Aztec Eagle (Spanish: Orden del Águila Azteca) is a Mexican order and is the highest decoration awarded to foreigners in the country.
It was created by decree on December 29, 1933 by President Abelardo L. Rodríguez as a reward to services given to Mexico or humankind by foreigners. It corresponds to similar distinctions given to Mexican citizens such as the Condecoración Miguel Hidalgo or the Belisario Domínguez Medal of Honor. It is given by the office of the foreign minister on the instructions of a Council established for this purpose headed by the President.
Design
There is some similary of the order with the coat of arms of Mexico, particularly the golden eagle devouring a snake, which is itself associated with the Aztec civilization.
Ranks
The ranks are, in descending order:
- Collar (awarded to heads of state);
- Cross (awarded to prime ministers and other heads of government);
- Band (awarded to government ministers, secretaries, and ambassadors);
- Medal (awarded to government undersecretaries or equivalent, plenipotentiary ministers);
- Placard (awarded to ad hoc business representatives and equivalent servants of embassies in Mexico);
- Venera (a type of insignia, awarded to ad interim business representatives and other members of diplomatic missions); and
- Insignia proper (awarded under the Council's discretion).
Notable people awarded
- Alexandra Kollontai - Band (1944)
- Dwight D. Eisenhower - Collar (1945)
- Henry H. Arnold - Collar (1945)
- Rafael Trujillo - Collar
- Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia - Collar (1954)
- Josip Broz Tito - Collar (1963)
- Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh - Collar (1964)
- Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent - Collar
- Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Collar (1973)
- Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi of Iran - Collar (1975)
- King Olav V of Norway - Cross
- Plácido Domingo - (1985)[1][2]
- King Juan Carlos I of Spain - Collar
- Queen Sofía of Spain - Sash
- Emperor Akihito of Japan - Collar
- King Carl Gustaf XVI of Sweden - Collar (2004)
- Bill Gates - Placard (2007)
- Melinda Gates - Insignia proper (2007)
- Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva - Collar (2007)
- Michelle Bachelet - Collar (2007)
- Queen Margrethe II of Denmark - Collar (2008)
- Henrik, Prince Consort of Denmark - Sash (2008)
- Ted Kennedy - Sash (2008)
- Felipe, Prince of Asturias
- Letizia, Princess of Asturias
References
- ^ Plácido Domingo - the Official authorized website (Accessed 19 February 2008), <http://www.placidodomingo.com/inhalt.php?id=706&menu_level=2&id_mnu=1037&id_kunden=196>
- ^ Plácido Domingo inagotable - Hoy Digital (Accessed 19 February 2009), <http://67.199.16.148/en-sociedad/2008/6/9/92792/print>
- Mexican Chamber of Deputies. Ley de premios, estímulos y recompensas civiles (Law of civilian prizes, stimuli and awards). Text of the law as of June 30, 2006. (Pdf, in Spanish).
External links
- http://www.medals.org.uk/mexico/mexico001.htm
- http://www.blasoneshispanos.com/Ordenes/OtrasOrdenes/AguilaAzteca/AguilaAzteca.htm
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