Orders, decorations, and medals of Lithuania


Awards and decorations of Lithuania are governed by the Republic of Lithuania Law on State Awards of 2002, amended in 2003.

State decorations

The state orders, medals and other decorations are bestowed by the President of Lithuania on 16 February – Day of Re-establishment of the State of Lithuania and 6 July – Day of the State, and on other days on special occasions.
The President of Lithuania is awarded with the highest order, of Vytautas the Great, upon starting to hold his office after taking the oath, by the Chairman of the Seimas.
Decorations are minted in Lithuanian Mint, a state own enterprise.

Orders

  1. the Order of Vytautas the Great with the Golden Chain;
  2. the Grand Cross of the Order of the Cross of Vytis;
  3. the Grand Cross of the Order of Vytautas the Great;
  4. the Grand Cross of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas;
  5. the Grand Cross of the Order for Merits to Lithuania;
  6. the Grand Cross of Commander of the Order of the Cross of Vytis;
  7. the Grand Cross of Commander of the Order of Vytautas the Great;
  8. the Grand Cross of Commander of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas;
  9. the Grand Cross of Commander of the Order for Merits to Lithuania;
  10. the Cross of Commander of the Order of the Cross of Vytis;
  11. the Cross of Commander of the Order of Vytautas the Great;
  12. the Cross of Commander of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas;
  13. the Cross of Commander of the Order for Merits to Lithuania;
  14. the Cross of Officer of the Order of the Cross of Vytis;
  15. the Cross of Officer of the Order of Vytautas the Great;
  16. the Cross of Officer of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas;
  17. the Cross of Officer of the Order for Merits to Lithuania;
  18. the Cross of the Knight of the Order of the Cross of Vytis;
  19. the Cross of the Knight of the Order of Vytautas the Great;
  20. the Cross of the Knight of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas;
  21. the Cross of the Knight of the Order for Merits to Lithuania;
  22. the Life Saving Cross;
  23. the Medal of the Order of the Cross of Vytis;
  24. the Medal of the Order of Vytautas the Great;
  25. the Medal of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas;
  26. the Order for Merits to Lithuania;
  27. the Commemorative Medal of 13 January.

    Other decorations

The above decorations are awarded by the Minister of National Defence. In addition, the Medal of Darius and Girėnas may be awarded by the Minister of Transport and Communications.

History

Although most of nowadays Lithuanian orders are created in times of Interwar Lithuanian Republic, few of nowadays Poland highest awards do have roots in Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and by official herald of Lithuania are considered as origin Lithuanian.