State decorations are order

Order (decoration)

An order or order of merit is a visible honour, awarded by a government, dynastic house or international organization to an individual, usually in recognition of distinguished service to a nation or to humanity. The distinction between orders and decorations is somewhat vague, except that most...

s, medal

Medal

A medal, or medallion, is generally a circular object that has been sculpted, molded, cast, struck, stamped, or some way rendered with an insignia, portrait, or other artistic rendering. A medal may be awarded to a person or organization as a form of recognition for athletic, military, scientific,...

s and other decorations granted by a state

Sovereign state

A sovereign state, or simply, state, is a state with a defined territory on which it exercises internal and external sovereignty, a permanent population, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other sovereign states. It is also normally understood to be a state which is neither...

. International decoration

International decoration

An international decoration is a military award which is not bestowed by a particular country, but rather by an international organization such as the United Nations or NATO...

s are similar, but are not granted by a specific nation but rather an international organization.

Unlike non-state decorations, state decorations are regulated by the state. Such regulations may specify:

• Lists of decorations which may be worn on military and civil uniform
  Uniform
  A uniform is a set of standard clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are worn by armed forces and paramilitary organizations such as police, emergency services, security guards, in some workplaces and schools and by inmates...
  
  
• The manner in which decorations are to be worn
• Restrictions on the acceptance of foreign decorations by citizens

State decorations may be divided into civil decoration

Civil decoration

A civil decoration is a decoration awarded to civilians for distinguished service. Military personnel might also be eligible for services of a non-military nature...

s and military decoration

Military decoration

A military decoration is a decoration given to military personnel or units for heroism in battle or distinguished service. They are designed to be worn on military uniform....

s. State decorations normally include one or more of the following components:

• Broad ribands (i.e. sashes) worn over one shoulder (on which a decoration may be suspended)
• Stars (or 'plaque') pinned to the lower chest
• Neck decorations
  Neck order
  A neck order is a type of decoration which is designed to be worn and displayed around a person's neck, rather than hung from the chest as is the standard practice for displaying most decorations....
  
   suspended from narrow ribands around the neck
• Women's decorations suspended from a bow worn pinned to the upper chest
• Decorations and medals suspended from ribbons pinned to the upper chest

See also

• Order (decoration)
  Order (decoration)
  An order or order of merit is a visible honour, awarded by a government, dynastic house or international organization to an individual, usually in recognition of distinguished service to a nation or to humanity. The distinction between orders and decorations is somewhat vague, except that most...
  
  
• Military decoration
  Military decoration
  A military decoration is a decoration given to military personnel or units for heroism in battle or distinguished service. They are designed to be worn on military uniform....
  
  
• List of military decorations
• List of prizes, medals, and awards