Order of Pahlavi

Order of Pahlavi
The Collar, Medal, Star and Grand Cross Badge
Awarded by Head of the Iranian Imperial Family
Type	Dynastic Order
Royal house	House of Pahlavi
Ribbon	Blue with Gold edges.
Sovereign	Crown Prince Reza of Iran
Grades	Knight Grand Cordon with Collar Knight Grand Cordon
Precedence
Next (higher)	Order of Zolfaghar
Next (lower)	Order of Aryamehr
The ribbon of the order

The Order of Pahlavi of the Empire of Iran, in Persian: "Neshan-e Pahlavi" was the highest order of the former Imperial State of Iran.

History

The Order was instituted in 1932 by Rezā Shāh, the founder of the Dynasty of the Pahlavi, and it was awarded in two classes, i.e.: 1st class (with collar) and 2nd class (without collar). It was Iran's highest-ranking order and was named for the family name of the Shah. The 1st class was limited to the immediate Iranian Imperial Family, reigning monarchs, and foreign heads of state. The 2nd class was awarded to other male members of the Iranian Imperial Family and to crown princes of foreign nations.

The order was abolished by the Islamic Republic of Iran after the fall of the last Shah. Since then, the order exists as the highest dynastical decoration of the Imperial House of Pahlavi.

The decorations include a golden collar with blue and gold links, the jewel of the order hanging from a broad ribbon and a star on the breast.

The badge is a precious jewel made in the shape of a cross with imperial crowns as arms. In the space between the arms golden and Blu-rays are placed. In the central medallion, Mount Damavand is depicted with a rising sun behind it. The star is the same as the jewel.

The Second Class of the Order bears a jewel with links between the crowns.

The ribbon was blue with a gold rim.

External links

• Order of Pahlavi - Department of State, May 1975
• Orders & Decorations of Pahlavi dynasty are exhibited in the ORDER section of the website
• Images on medals.org.uk