Estonian state decorations

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The decorations of the Republic of Estonia were established or reestablished by the Law on Decorations, passed in Riigikogu on 5 May 1994 and 16 May 1995.

There are six decorations (orders):

The Cross of St. Mary’s Land (Maarjamaa Rist)
The Order of the National Coat of Arms;
The Order of the White Star;
The Order of the Cross of the Eagle;
The Order of the Estonian Red Cross;
The Cross of Liberty.

Estonian state decorations, as provided by the State Decorations Act passed in the Riigikogu on 11th December 1996.

Cross of Liberty
Order of the National Coat of Arms
Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana
Order of the White Star
Order of the Cross of the Eagle
Order of the Estonian Red Cross


The Order of the National Coat of Arms was instituted in 1936 to commemorate the Day of the Proclamation of Estonia’s Independence on 24 February 1918. The Order of the National Coat of Arms is awarded as the highest grade for the services rendered to the State. The order comprises six classes.

The Order of the White Star was instituted in 1936 to commemorate the freedom fight of the Estonian people. The Order of the White Star is awarded to give recognition to accomplishments in civil service or local government work as well as to foreigners for services to the Estonian State. The order comprises seven classes.

The Order of the Cross of the Eagle was instituted by the Defence League in 1928 to the 10th anniversary of the Estonian independence. The Order of the Cross of the Eagle is awarded to give recognition to military accomplishments and services in the field of national defence. The order comprises eight classes.

The Order of the Estonian Red Cross was instituted by the Estonian Red Cross Society in 1920. The Order of the Estonian Red Cross is awarded to give recognition to humanitarian services in the interests of the Estonian public and for saving life. The order is of six classes.

The Cross of St. Mary’s Land /Est. Maarjamaa, = St. Mary’s Land/. The Cross of Maarjamaa (St. Mary’s Land), instituted in 1995, is awarded by the President of the Republic of Estonia as the highest reward to foreigners who have rendered special services to the Republic of Estonia. Maarjamaa (St. Mary’s Land) is the poetical synonym for Estonia since 1215. The order is of six classes.

The Cross of Liberty was instituted in 1919 to give recognition to services during the Estonian War of Independence and has not been awarded since 1925.The Cross of Liberty is a military award in the event of a war in defence of Estonia’s independence.
The decorations are awarded by the President of the Republic. Recommendations for awarding decorations are in most cases presented to the President of the Republic by the Committee on Decorations.

CO
The President of Estonia 1992-2001 - Official Duties - Decorations of the Republic of Estonia