# Orders, decorations, and medals of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

In the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan personal bravery, achievement, or service are rewarded with honours by the King. The honours system consists of two types of award:
* Orders are used to recognise merit in terms of achievement and service – of either a civil or military nature;
* Medals are used to mark commemorative events, service on a particular operation or in a specific theatre, long or valuable service, and good conduct.
Appointments to the various orders and awards of other honours are usually published in the kingdom's Official Gazette.

## Brief history

The modern country of Jordan has its origin in the Arab Revolt and its campaign against the Ottoman Empire led by the Hashemite ruler of Mecca Sharif Hussein Bin Ali. Following the success of the Revolt, Sharif Hussein established several awards to mark his victory. Several Hashemite states came into existence after the Revolt, and Jordan as the only remaining one today continues to award those orders created by Sharif Hussein.

## Modern honours

As the head of state, the Sovereign is the fount of honour, but over time their responsibility has been passed over to the government of the day. Most honours in Jordan are now directly nominated and vetted by ministries or military branches and only approved by the King at a final stage by royal decree. Although some awards are still given at the direct initiative of the King. Various orders have been created (see below) as well as awards for military service, bravery, merit, and achievement which take the form of medals or badges. Most medals are not graded. Each one recognises specific service so there are normally set criteria which must be met. These criteria may include a period of time and will often delimit a particular geographic region or to mark a specific anniversary or event.

### Independence Day and Army Day Honours

Honours in Jordan are usually published and awarded on important anniversaries, namely Independence Day on May 25 and Army Day on June 10. Investitures are usually presided over by the King and attended by members of the Royal Family and televised to the country.

## Current Orders

The current system in Jordan is made up of 10 civil orders and four military orders. They are ordered in seniority per Jordanian law.

### Civil Orders

| Complete name | Ranks (letters) | Established | Founder | Awarded to/for/by | Associated awards |
| Order of Hussein bin Ali | Collar | 16 July 1949 | King Abdullah I | For foreign allied heads of state and senior members of royal families. | Sash of Hussein Bin Ali (Awarded 1967-1977) |
| Supreme Order of the Renaissance | Grand Cordon with Brilliants, Grand Cordon, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Member | October 1918 | Sharif Hussein Bin Ali | Members of the Royal Family, senior officials and others with exceptional and long service to the kingdom. | None |
| Order of the Star of Jordan | Grand Cordon, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Member | December 1947 | King Abdullah I | Members of the royal family, senior military officers and government officials. | None |
| Order of Independence | Grand Cordon, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Member | October 1918 | Sharif Hussein Bin Ali | Members of the royal family and senior diplomats. | Medal of Independence (Awarded 1918-2015) |
| Order of the Hashemite Star | First Class | 1972 | King Hussein | Historically for military bravery, presently for senior members of the royal family and civilian dedicated service. | None |
| Al-Hussein Order for Distinguished Contributions | Grand Cordon, Companion | 29 March 1977 | King Hussein | Services to cultural and social wellbeing by Jordanians and foreign citizens. | Al-Hussein Medal for Excellence |
| King Abdullah II Order of Distinction | Grand Cordon, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Member | 2015 | King Abdullah II | Jordanians and foreign nationals who have shown commitment and investment in Jordan's success or for personal achievement. | Abdullah bin Al-Hussein Medal for Excellence |
| Order of the State Centenary | Grand Cordon, Member | April 2021 | King Abdullah II | For committed service to Jordan in its first 100 years | None |
| Order of Valour and Salvation | Grand Cordon with Brilliants, Grand Cordon, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Member | 2015 | King Abdullah II | For bravery and gallantry by civilians and members of the Public Security Directorate | None |
| Order of Honour | First Class | 1956 (as a military award) 2015 (as a civil award) | King Hussein | From 1956 to 2015 for outstanding military service, from 2015 for charitable or cultural work. | None |

### Military Orders

| Complete name | Ranks (letters) | Established | Founder | Awarded to/for/by | Associated awards |
| Order of Dedication and Sacrifice | Grand Cordon with Brilliants, Grand Cordon, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Member | 2015 | King Abdullah II | For bravery and gallantry by members of the Jordanian Armed Forces | Order of Military Gallantry (until 2015) |
| Order of Military Merit | Grand Cordon, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Member | 1972 | King Hussein | Members of Jordanian Armed Forces and allied militaries. | None |
| Order of Participation in Peacekeeping Forces | First Class | 1993 | King Hussein | Members of the Jordanian Armed Forces and Public Security Directorate who participate in international peacekeeping operations. | None |
| Order of Military Gallantry | First Class | 1946 | King Abdullah I | Members of the Jordanian Armed Forces who exhibit extraordinary bravery or gallantry | Order of Dedication and Sacrifice (replaced this in 2015) |