Orders, decorations, and medals of Bulgaria


Orders, decorations and medals of Bulgaria are regulated by the law on the Orders and Medals of the Republic Of Bulgaria of 29 May 2003.
The National Military History Museum Of Bulgaria in Sofia currently has over 150 Bulgarian Orders in the collection, which it has acquired over 85 years in co-operation with the Bulgarian State Mint, which are in the main part imperial, including Orders awarded to Knjaz Alexander, Ferdinand and Tsar Boris III along with other high-ranking military leaders of the Royal Bulgarian Army.
The decorations of the Principality Of Bulgaria and the Third Bulgarian Tsardom were divided into orders, medals and honorary insignia. Orders were awarded to civilians and military personnel for particularly great merits in service of the state. Honorary insignia were awarded for a specific merit or achievement or due to a specific event and medals were presented on the occasion of a political or historic event or for merit. Most of the Imperial commemorative medals were only issued once, to participants at the commemorated event and only the highest level personnel could be expected to be at all these events during their term in high status society. No-one was issued every commemorative medal, as during the turbulence of coups, counter-coups and change of monarchs, the high level society was in near constant change.
The Principality Of Bulgaria's first order was created with Article 59 of the Tarnovo Constitution, The Order Of Bravery, which came into force on 1 January 1880. The highest Tsardom Of Bulgaria award was the Order Of Saint Cyril And Saint Methodius awarded to those who brought outstanding excellence to the culture of the Tsardom Of Bulgaria.

Orders

Medals

Badge And RibbonName Creation Date /
Cessation Date		DescriptionNumber Awarded
"For The Coronation of Knjaz Alexander of Battenberg".
c. 8 July 1879c. 200
For Liberation 1877–78.
За Освобождението 1877–78.
Za Osvobozhdenieto 1877–78.
19 July 1880
For The Allocation Of War Banners To The Bulgarian Army In 1881.
30 August 1881 /
30 August 1881		Personally awarded by Knjaz Alexander during a ceremony on 30 August 1881. There are two variations of this medal, one with a crown between the ribbon and medal and one without.c.50
Gold Medal "For Merit"
With Crown And Diamonds.
За Заслуга
Za Zasluga
1886This was a unique award. Awarded only to Stefan Stambolov, the regent of Bulgaria from 28 August 1886 to 3 September 1886 and from 7 September 1886 to 7 July 1887.1

Gold Medal For Merit
With Crown.
За Заслуга
Za Zasluga
25 December 1881 /
15 September 1946		This was awarded with crown above the medal. There are 6 variations of the obverse, Knjaz Alexander, Knjaz Ferdinand, Tsar Ferdinand I, Tsar Boris III, Tsar Boris III and a regent coat of arms. If awarded during periods of war this medal was issued with an alternate war time ribbon. All of these factors together make a great many different variations of this award. 7 of the 66 of these awarded were the Knjaz Ferdinand variation, 6 of which were issued to foreign heads of state.66

Gold Medal For Merit.
За Заслуга
Za Zasluga
25 December 1881 /
15 September 1946		This was awarded without crown/reef above the medal. There are 6 variations of the obverse, Knjaz Alexander, Knjaz Ferdinand, Tsar Ferdinand I, Tsar Boris III, Tsar Boris III and a regent coat of arms. If awarded during periods of war this medal was issued with an alternate war time ribbon. All of these factors together make a great many different variations of this award.

Silver Medal For Merit
With Crown.
За Заслуга
Za Zasluga
25 December 1881 /
15 September 1946		This was awarded with crown above the medal. There are 6 variations of the obverse, Knjaz Alexander, Knjaz Ferdinand, Tsar Ferdinand I, Tsar Boris III, Tsar Boris III and a regent coat of arms. If awarded during periods of war this medal was issued with an alternate war time ribbon. All of these factors together make a great many different variations of this award.

Silver Medal For Merit.
За Заслуга
Za Zasluga
25 December 1881 /
15 September 1946		This was awarded without crown/reef above the medal. There are 6 variations of the obverse, Knjaz Alexander, Knjaz Ferdinand, Tsar Ferdinand I, Tsar Boris III, Tsar Boris III and a regent coat of arms. If awarded during periods of war this medal was issued with an alternate war time ribbon. All of these factors together make a great many different variations of this award.


Bronze Medal For Merit
With Crown.
За Заслуга
25 December 1881 /
15 September 1946		This was awarded with crown above the medal. There are 6 variations of the obverse, Knjaz Alexander, Knjaz Ferdinand, Tsar Ferdinand I, Tsar Boris III, Tsar Boris III and a regent coat of arms. If awarded during periods of war this medal was issued with an alternate war time ribbon. All of these factors together make a great many different variations of this award.

Bronze Medal For Merit.
За Заслуга
25 December 1881 /
15 September 1946		This was awarded without crown/reef above the medal. There are 6 variations of the obverse, Knjaz Alexander, Knjaz Ferdinand, Tsar Ferdinand I, Tsar Boris III, Tsar Boris III and a regent coat of arms. If awarded during periods of war this medal was issued with an alternate war time ribbon. All of these factors together make a great many different variations of this award.
"In Memory Of The Glorious 1885 Campaign". /
"In Memory Of The Glorious War Of 1885".
Silver Class
Въ Память Славной 1885 Кампаній./
Въ Паметъ На Славната Война Въ 1885 Год.
V Pamyaty Slavnoy 1885 Kampaniy./
Va Pamet Na Slavnata Voyna Va 1885 God.
19 February 1886 /
7 September 1886		Awarded to Bulgarian veterans of the 14–28 November 1885 war with the Kingdom of Serbia during the reign of Alexander I. This medal was replaced by the "For Participation In The Serbo-Bulgarian War 1885" medal after the abdication of Alexander I. The medal was issued in two variations one with Russian text and one with Bulgarian text.

"In Memory Of The Glorious 1885 Campaign"./
"In Memory Of The Glorious War Of 1885".
Bronze Class
Въ Память Славной 1885 Кампаній./
Въ Паметъ На Славната Война Въ 1885 Год.
Va Pamyaty Slavnoy 1885 Kampaniy./
Va Pamet Na Slavnata Voyna Va 1885 God.
19 February 1886 /
7 September 1886		Awarded to Bulgarian veterans of the 14–28 November 1885 war with the Kingdom of Serbia during the reign of Alexander I. This medal was replaced by the "For Participation In The Serbo-Bulgarian War 1885" medal after the abdication of Alexander I. The medal was issued in two variations one with Russian text and one with Bulgarian text.
For Participation In The Serbo-Bulgarian War 1885
Silver Class.
За Участие В Сръбско-Българската Война 1885.
Za Uchastie V Srabsko-Balgarskata Vojna 1885.
14 November 1886 /
????		Awarded to Bulgarian veterans of the 14–28 November 1885 war with the Kingdom of Serbia.c. 60,000
"For Participation In The Serbo-Bulgarian War 1885"
Bronze Class.
За Участие В Сръбско-Българската Война 1885.
Za Uchastie V Srabsko-Balgarskata Vojna 1885.
14 November 1886 /
????		Awarded to Bulgarian veterans of the 14–28 November 1885 war with the Kingdom of Serbia.c. 30,000
For The Accession Of Knjaz Ferdinand I
1st Class.
За Възшествието На Княз Фердинанд I.
Za Vazshestvieto Na Knyaz Ferdinand I.
c. 7 July 1887 /
????
"For The Accession Of Knjaz Ferdinand I"
2nd Class.
За Възшествието На Княз Фердинанд I.
Za Vazshestvieto Na Knyaz Ferdinand I.
c. 7 July 1887 /
????
"For The Accession Of Knjaz Ferdinand I"
3rd Class.
За Възшествието На Княз Фердинанд I.
Za Vazshestvieto Na Knyaz Ferdinand I.
c. 7 July 1887 /
????		699
"For The Accession Of Knjaz Ferdinand I"
4th Class.
За Възшествието На Княз Фердинанд I.
Za Vazshestvieto Na Knyaz Ferdinand I.
c. 7 July 1887 /
????		1019
"For The Accession Of Knjaz Ferdinand I"
5th Class.
За Възшествието На Княз Фердинанд I.
Za Vazshestvieto Na Knyaz Ferdinand I.
c. 7 July 1887 /
????		475
"For The Completion Of The Jambol-Burgas Railway"
Gold Class.
4 May 1890 /
4 May 1890
"For The Completion Of The Jambol-Burgas Railway"
Silver Class.
4 May 1890 /
4 May 1890
"For The Completion Of The Jambol-Burgas Railway"
Bronze Class.
4 May 1890 /
4 May 1890

10 Years Distinguished Service Cross.
1889 /
15 September 1946		There are 4 variations of this award a Ferdinand I officer's version, a Boris III officer's version and a Boris III N.C.O. version established on 7 April 1933. The fourth variation is a unique variation issued only to the Tsar Boris III.
20 Years Distinguished Service Cross.
1889 /
15 September 1946		There are 4 variations of this award a Ferdinand I officer's version, a Boris III officer's version and a Boris III N.C.O. version established on 7 April 1933. The fourth variation is a unique variation issued only to the Tsar Boris III.
For The Wedding Of Knyaz Ferdinand And Marie-Louise
.
20 April 1893 /
20 April 1893
For The Wedding Of Knyaz Ferdinand And Marie-Louise
.
20 April 1893 /
20 April 1893
For The Wedding Of Knyaz Ferdinand And Marie-Louise
.
20 April 1893 /
20 April 1893
For The 25th Anniversary The April Insurrection Of 1876.
1901 /
Lifesaving Medal.
28 October 1908 /
15 September 1946		Awarded to all Bulgarians for the rescue of people from natural disasters. There are 2 variations of this award a Ferdinand I version and a Boris III version.
Lifesaving Medal.
28 October 1908 /
15 September 1946		Awarded to all Bulgarians for the rescue of people from natural disasters. There are 2 variations of this award a Ferdinand I version and a Boris III version.
Lifesaving Medal.
28 October 1908 /
15 September 1946		Awarded to all Bulgarians for the rescue of people from natural disasters. There are 2 variations of this award a Ferdinand I version and a Boris III version.


For The Independence of Bulgaria 22 September 1908.
За Независимостта На България 22 Септември 1908.
Za Nezavisimostta Na Balgariya 22 Septembri 1908.
Early 1909 /
1909		Awarded to Bulgarians for the event of the proclamation of full Bulgarian independence. Diameter 40 mm, Thickness 1.9 mm.11,490
Red Cross Medal.
1939 /
15 September 1946		Awarded to everyone who had contributed with "merits to the Red Cross Society or to the cause of charity in general without distinction of sex, ethnic origin or nationality".
Red Cross Medal.
15 February 1918 /
15 September 1946		Awarded to everyone who had contributed with "merits to the Red Cross Society or to the cause of charity in general without distinction of sex, ethnic origin or nationality".
Red Cross Medal.
15 February 1918 /
15 September 1946		Awarded to everyone who had contributed with "merits to the Red Cross Society or to the cause of charity in general without distinction of sex, ethnic origin or nationality".


For Participation In The Balkan Wars 1912–1913.
За Участие В Балканските Войни 1912–913 г.
Za Uchastie V Balkanskite Voyni 1912–913 g.
9 December 1933 /
After December 1941		Awarded to Bulgarian participants of the 1912-1913 Balkan wars. There are 3 variations in this medal which are indicated by different ribbons.c. 300,000


For Participation In The European War 1915–1918.
За Участие В Европейската Война 1915–1918 г.
Za Uchastie V Evropeyskata Voyna 1915–1918 g.
9 December 1933/
After December 1941		Awarded to Bulgarian and Bulgarian allied force participants of the "1915–1918" war. There are 3 variations in this medal which are indicated by different ribbons. Diameter 32.1 mm, Thickness 2.7 mm.c. 249,000
For Participation In The Patriotic War 1944–1945.
За Участие В Отечествената Война 1944–1945 г.
Za Uchastie V Otechestvenata Vojna 1944–1945 g.
9 September 1945 /
After 1953		Awarded to Bulgarian or allied troops for participation in the war against the Axis from 9 September 1944 – 9 May 1945.195,000+

Table Medals

Badge And RibbonName Creation Date /
Cessation Date		DescriptionNumber Awarded
In This Sign Thou Shalt Conquer.
In Hoc Signo Vinces.
1912 /
1912		Awarded to Tsar Ferdinand I.1
In This Sign Thou Shalt Conquer.
In Hoc Signo Vinces.
1912 /
1912

Unnoffical Medals

These "medals" were "issued" or "awarded" by various groups and organisations including government departments but were/are not fully recognised as officially awarded medals and were/are not authorised for official wear on official uniforms. That being so this does not mean by any means that these medals were simply just for sale to all comers and were/are still often held in high respect by those who were given them.
Badge And RibbonName Creation Date /
Cessation Date		DescriptionNumber Awarded
Commemoration of the Death of H.R.H. Princess Marie Louise.
1899
1,000th Anniversary of the Birth of Tsar Boris I.
2 May 1907
Medal For The Coronation Of Tsar Ferdinand I 1908.
22 September 1908
Commemoration Of The Death Of Michail Takev 1864–1920.
1920Michail Takev was the Minister Of Interior from 16 January 1908 – 10 September 1910 and then once again between 17 October-28 November 1918 as part of a Democratic Party government.
Commemoration Of The Death Of Aleksandar Stambolijski.
1923
For The Proclamation Of The St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Monument 12 September 1924.
12 September 1924
10th Anniversary Of The Reign Of Boris III
50th Anniversary Of Liberation From The Ottoman Empire
1000th Anniversary Of The Death Of Simeon I.
1928Diameter 22.2 mm, Thickness 1.3 mm.
For The Wedding Of Tsar Boris III And Princess Giovanna Of Savoy.
25 October 1930

People's Republic Of Bulgaria (16 September 1946 – 10 November 1989)

With the exile of Tsar Simeon II all Imperial Bulgarian awards were discontinued and banned, including the wear of such awards. Traces of the Imperial award system were left in the following ways;

Orders

Medals

Republic Of Bulgaria (10 November 1989 – 29 May 2003)

With the collapse of The People's Republic Of Bulgaria their award system was discontinued with the exception of orders bestowed on foreign nationals. All communist and imperial awards were allowed to be worn. The soviet style 5 sided suspension was dropped, with the exception of the medal 50th Anniversary Of Victory Over Hitler's Fascism, which had a 5 sided enamel suspension and the Imperial tradition of different ribbons for different sexes were reintroduced for certain awards. Between 5 April 1991 and the introduction of The Order For Loyal Service Under The Banner in 1994 there were no official state awards for Bulgarian citizens. As of 29 May 2003 a totally new award system was introduced and as of the 9 June 2003 the previous system was officially abolished.

Titles

Orders

Medals

Republic Of Bulgaria (since 29 May 2003)

Legal organisation of the current Bulgarian Honours System is contained in the Constitution and the Decree on Intellectual Stimulation. Orders are established by the National Assembly and are awarded by the President of the Republic. The nomination of a foreign person is made by the Ministry of External Affairs, whereas Bulgarian nominees are selected by the Council of Ministers.

Titles

Orders

Medals

Table Medals

Badges