Order of Aztec Eagle

Order of Aztec Eagle

Grand Cross Set Miniatures. Breast Badge, 15 mm, gilt Silver, one side enameled, original suspension ring and ribbon with rosette. Breast Star, 24x18 mm, gilt Silver, one side enameled, original suspension ring and ribbon. Superb set in mint condition! I R!

• Time Period: Interwar Period
• Institution: 1933
• Country: Mexico

The Order of the Aztec Eagle (or Orden Mexicana del Águila Azteca in Spanish) is the highest Mexican order awarded to foreigners in the country and forms part of the Mexican Honours System. It’s awarded for services to the Mexican nation or to humanity, and it’s reciprocally given to Mexican public service providers living abroad.

The order was created by decree on December 29, 1933 by President Abelardo L. Rodríguez although it is based on the temporal Aztec Eagle decoration, which was created on September 30, 1932. This award had a light blue ribbon and was given as a thank you to foreigners, in particular to ministers from the Chilean Foreign Issues Office.

It corresponds to similar distinctions given to Mexican citizens such as the Miguel Hidalgo Order 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.

The Order of the Aztec Eagle Design

There is some design similarity of the order with the coat of arms of Mexico, particularly the golden eagle holding a rattlesnake, which is associated with the Aztec civilization.