ORDERS

BURMA

ORDERS & DECORATIONS:
Copyright© Christopher Buyers Copyright© Christopher Buyers
The Kingdom of Burma.Copyright© Christopher Buyers Copyright© Christopher Buyers
The Burmese Kings never instituted any orders or decorations on the western model. They had a traditional decoration of honour, known as a salwe. King Bodawpaya Hsinbyumyashin issued Royal Orders, describing and regulating the award on 3^rd June 1784. The insignia consisted of a gold chain, formed of several strands, fastened together in four places with shields or bosses. The chain was worn over the left shoulder and across the breast, towards the right hip, similar to the sash of an order of chivalry*. The rank of the recipient determined the maximum number of strands:

24 strands - worn by the King alone, in two sets of 12, over each shoulder.
21 strands - conferred on the Heir Apparent.
18 strands - conferred on Shan Sawbwagyi and senior Princes of the Blood Royal.
15 strands - conferred on Shan Myosas and junior Princes of the Blood Royal.
12 strands - conferred on Mugyi and Matgyi (Ministers of State of senior rank).
9 to 3 strands - conferred on Mulatm Matlat, Munge and Matnge (officers of junior rank).

A gold Salwe of 24 strands

* Several Western authors, particularly continental ones writing in the nineteenth century, mistakenly described the Salwe as "the Order of the Salwe", as if it were comparable to an order of chivalry or merit. This has been repeated by some modern authors, but more often by modern numismatic societies and medal collectors. However, this assumption is entirely mistaken. Salwes are worn extensively as part of the traditional formal dress of Buddhist rulers, princes and high ranking personages. This is common, not only in Burma, but throughout South-East Asia, particularly in Thailand and Laos. They frequently adorn statues and images of the Buddha.

A gold Salwe of 12 strands

British Burma. Copyright© Christopher Buyers Copyright© Christopher Buyers
The Order of Burma: founded by Royal Warrant on 10^th May 1940. Conferred in a single class to reward long, faithful and distinguished service by Governor's Commissioned Officers of the Burma military forces, the Burma auxiliary military forces, the frontier and the military police. Extended to reward immediate acts of gallantry, or particularly meritorious services, on 11^th September 1945. The decoration consisted of a neck badge, worn suspended from a ribbon of deep green edged with sky blue. Recipients were entitled to the post-nominal letters OB. There were only 33 awards in total, making this one of the rarest decorations ever instituted by the crown. Obsolete 1948.

The Order of Burma - neck badge

The Burma Gallantry Medal: instituted by Royal Warrant on 10^th May 1940. Conferred upon Governor's Commissioned Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and other ranks of the Burma military, frontier and military police forces to reward acts of personal bravery in peace or on active service. The decoration consisted of a circular silver medal, suspended from a medal ribbon on the left breast. Bars were awarded for additional acts of gallantry. Recipients were entitled to the post-nominal letters BGM and received a monetary allowance. The number of awards totalled 180. Obsolete 1948.

The Burma Gallantry Medal - obverse (L) and reverse (R)

Aga Maha Pandita ('the Great Learned One'): instituted by the Viceroy of India on 1^st January 1915. A title of honour awarded to learned Buddhist monks and teachers. Recipients were entitled to the post-nominal letters AMP. Retained by the government of the Union of Burma after 1948.
Kyet thaye zaung shwe Salwe ya Min (Recipient of the Gold Chain of Honour): instituted by the Viceroy of India on 6^th June 1885. Awarded in a single class, to Burmese gentlemen of British Burma, for exceptionally distinguished service to the state. The decoration consisted of a gold chain of several strands, fastened together in four places with shields or bosses, and worn over the left shoulder, across the breast with the large bosse resting on the right hip. Recipients were entitled to the post-nominal letters KSM. The number of awards totalled 221. Obsolete 1948.
Thuye gaung ngwe Da ya Min (Recipient of the Silver Sword of Bravery): instituted by the Viceroy of India on 6^th June 1885. Awarded in a single class to reward gallant or distingusihed service, particularly, but not restricted to, military and police personnel. The decoration consisted of a silver ceremonial dar or Burmese short sword, with an elaborately carved ivory handle. Recipients were entitled to the post-nominal letters TDM. The number of awards totalled 158. Obsolete 1948.
Ahmudan gaung Tazeik ya Min (Recipient of the Medal for Good Service): instituted by the Viceroy of India on 6^th June 1885. Awarded in a single class, to reward good and faithful service. The decoration consisted of a large circular gold medal worn around the neck and suspended from a ribbon. Recipients were entitled to the post-nominal letters ATM. The number of awards totalled 501. Obsolete 1948.

Ahmudan gaung Tazeik ya Min (ATM) - obverse

Taing kyo Pyi kyo Saung (One who has promoted the welfare of his Country): founded by the Viceroy of India on 18^th December 1916. Awarded in a single class to Burmese gentlemen who "though holding no official position, have shown public spirit or generosity, or have worked in the interests of education, agriculture or other public objects". The decoration consisted of a large circular gold medal. Recipients were entitled to the post-nominal letters TPS. The number of awards totalled 195. Obsolete 1948.
The Burma Police Medal: instituted by Royal Warrant on 14^th December 1937. Awarded in a single class to members of the Burma civil and military Police Forces, the Frontier Force, and the Fire Brigade who have performed services of conspicuous merit or gallantry. The decoration consisted of a circular bronze medal, suspended from a medal ribbon on the left breast. Limited to a maximum of 25 awards per annum, gallantry excluded. Bars were awarded for additional acts of gallantry. The number of awards totalled 141. Obsolete 1948.

The Burma Police Medal (for conspicuous merit) - obverse (L) and reverse (R)

The Union of Burma. Copyright© Christopher Buyers Copyright© Christopher Buyers
Thiri Thudhamma Thingaha (the Most Glorious Order of Truth): founded on 2^nd September 1948. Awarded in two divisions (military and civil) and three classes (1. Agga Maha Thiri Thudhamma - Grand Commander, 2. Sado Thiri Thudhamma - Grand Officer, and 3. Maha Thiri Thudhamma - Companion).The first class consisted of a gold braided salwe worn over the left shoulder, across the breast with the large bosse resting on the right hip, with the two badges of the order suspended over the left breast. Also a large gold enamelled breast star. The second class, a single, breast star similar to the first class but smaller. Third class a badge, worn from a ribbon around the neck.

Agga Maha Thiri Thudhamma - gold salwe with the two badges of the order.

Pyidaungsu Sithu Thingaha (the Order of the Union of Burma): founded on 2^nd September 1948. Awarded in two divisions (military and civil), five classes (1. Agga Maha Thray Sithu - Grand Commander, 2. Sado Maha Thray Sithu - Grand Officer, 3. Maha Thray Sithu - Commander, 4. Thray Sithu - Officer, and 5. Sithu - Member), and a single medal in silver (Sithu Tazeit). The first class consisted of a gold braided salwe - worn across the breast with two badges of the order attached (in place of a traditional bosse), suspended over the left shoulder, across the breast with the large bosse resting on the right hip, with the two badges of the order suspended over the left breast. Also a large gold and enamelled breast star, a large star surrounded by five small stars. 2^nd class, a single, breast star but smaller than the first class. 3^rd class a badge, worn from a ribbon around the neck. 4th and 5th classes, a badge worn on a ribbon suspended from a medal bar.

Maha Thray Sithu

The Star of the Revolution: instituted on the 3^rd of November 1953. Awarded in three grades to those who had participated in the struggle for national independence, either in the military or political sphere but limited to three periods of service: 6^th January - 26^th July 1942, 27^th July 1942 - 26^th March 1945, and from 27^th March to 15^th August 1945. Those who participated in all three periods received the first grade, those who participated in any two periods received the second, and those who participated in one received the third grade. The decoration consists of a gold breast star of five points with a smaller five-pointed gold star thereon. In the centre, on a circular shield, a blue enamelled peacock in its prime. Obsolete since March 1962.

The Star of the Revolution

1. First Degree - Agga Maha Pandita - religious title conferred on eminent Buddhist teachers. Conferred with a seal and an aldonation in cash. This was the only British title retained after independence.
2. Second Degree - Thiri Pyanchi - replacement for the KSM. Awarded for meritorious service to the Union, to men and women, civilians, military leaders, officials and non-officials alike.
3. Third Degree - replacement for the TDM, ATM and TPS. Awarded for meritorious service in different fields of endeavour, but all enjoying equivalent rank:
- 3.1. Zeya Kyaw Htin - military service.
- 3.2. Wunna Kyaw Htin - civil service, including the police.
- 3.3. Alinga Kyaw Swa - literature, arts, drama and music.
- 3.4. Theikpa Kyaw Swa - science, commerce and industry.

Naing-ngant Gyongi: Awarded to those who rendered distinguished service in the national liberation movements from the socialist era to the era of socialist construction. Awarded in two classes (1. First class - round disk in gold bearing an image of a sun in splendour in the middle, surrounded by a wreath around the edge, all surrounded by a star of ten points, six with long rays, and four short in between. At the top a suspension device including two sprigs of foliage. Worn from a neck ribbon of yellow edged in sepia. 2. Second class - similar to the first class, only smaller).
Pyidaungsu Tagun: instituted by the socialist government and awarded in three classes (1. Pyidaungsu Tagun - twenty-pointed star in silver-gilt with ten long sharp points of equal length and ten shorter sharp points of equal length, all with rays. In the centre a circular disk bearing a map of burma in relief and surrounded by fourteen small stars, all surrounded by a raised wreath. At the top a suspension device, including two sprigs of foliage. Worn from a neck ribbon of light blue edged in yellow. 2. Aung San Tagun - twenty-pointed star in silver-gilt with ten long sharp points of equal length and ten shorter sharp points of equal length, all with rays. In the centre, a circular disk bearing an image of Aung San in relief and surrounded by a raised wreath. At the top a suspension device, including two sprigs of foliage. Worn from a neck ribbon of light blue edged in yellow, with a narrow central stripe in yellow. 3. Tagun - twenty-pointed star in silver-gilt with ten long sharp points of equal length and ten shorter sharp points of equal length, all with rays. In the centre, a circular disk bearing an image of the state coat-of-arms in relief and surrounded by a raised wreath. At the top a suspension device, including two sprigs of foliage. Worn from a neck ribbon of light blue with a narrow central stripe in yellow.
Pyidaungsu Zarni: instituted by the socialist government and awarded in three classes (1. Pyidaungsu Zarni - ten-pointed star in silver-gilt with sharp points of equal length, all with rays. In the centre a circular disk bearing a map of Burma in relief and surrounded by fourteen small stars, all surrounded by a raised wreath. At the top a suspension device including two sprigs of foliage. Worn from a neck ribbon of red edged in yellow. 2. Lanzin Zarni - ten-pointed star in silver-gilt with sharp points of equal length, all with rays. In the centre a circular disk bearing two five pointed stars in relief , one over the other and surrounded by a raised wreath. At the top a suspension device, including two sprigs of foliage. Worn from a neck ribbon of red edged in yellow, with a narrow central stripe in yellow. 3. Zarni - ten-pointed star in silver-gilt with sharp points of equal length, all with rays. In the centre, a circular disk bearing an image of the state coat-of-arms in relief and surrounded by a raised wreath. At the top a suspension device, including two sprigs of foliage. Worn from a neck ribbon of red with a narrow central stripe in yellow.
Aung Sun Thuriya (the Sun of Aung Sun): instituted 2^nd September 1948 as the foremost military decoration for gallantry. Awarded in a single class to reward the gallantry of the highest category, in the face of the enemy. The decoration is in stainless steel and consists of a stylised sun in splendour (thuriya) 1.5 inches in diameter, worn suspended from a medal ribbon on the left breast. Ribbon: vermillion red with two vertical gold lines. Retained by the socialist regime but altered to a gold star of sixteen sharp points, with rays, and a circular disk in the centre with a sun in splendour, and a raised band surround. Worn from a neck ribbon of red with dark blue borders.Copyright© Christopher Buyers Copyright© Christopher Buyers
Aung San Tazeit: instituted 2^nd September 1948 as the foremost civilian decoration for gallantry. Awarded for acts of conspicuous courage or great heroism. The decoration was intended as a replacement for the British George Cross and ranks immediately after the Aung San Thuriya. Oval shaped medal in steel with a profile bust of Aung San within a wreath of Aung Thabye leaves along the edge. Ribbon: vermillion red with a vertical stripe of royal blue.
Thiha Thura Tazeit: instituted 2^nd September 1948 as the second highest military decoration for gallantry. Intended to replace the British Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM). The insignia consists of a stylised chinthe in bronze, facing outwards, resting on a scroll inscribed with Thiha Thura in Burmese. Ribbon: vermillion red edged in gold. Retained by the socialist regime but altered to a gold circular disk edged in a wreath, in the centre an eight pointed star with rays surrounding another round disk in the centre with a sun in splendour, and a raised band surround. Worn from a neck ribbon of red with a central stripe of dark blue.
Thiha Bala Tazeit: instituted 2^nd September 1948 as the second highest civilian decoration for gallantry to rewarded acts of conspicuous courage or heroism, not meriting the Aung San Tazeit. Intended as a replacement for the British George Medal (GM) and ranking immediately after the Aung San Thuriya. The insignia consists of a stylised chinthe in bronze, facing outwards, resting on a scroll inscribed with Thiha Bala in Burmese. Ribbon: vermillion red edged in royal blue.
Thura Tazeit: instituted 2^nd September 1948 as the third highest military decoration for gallantry. Intended to replace the British Military Cross (MC) and Military Medal (MM). An emblem of a rising sun after Burmese conception embossed in silver, with eight enamelled and pointed rays. Ribbon: vermillion red edged in gold and a further gold stripe in the centre. Retained by the socialist regime but altered to a gold circular disk similar to the Thiha Thura, only smaller and with a much smaller round disk within the star. Worn from a neck ribbon of red with a central stripe of dark blue, and borders of dark blue.
Sit Hmu Htan Gaung Tazeit: instituted 2^nd September 1948 as a reward for long, faithful and honourable service by members of the regular military forces. Awarded on three classes (Class I - Lieutenant-Colonels and above. Class II - other commissioned officers, and Class III - other ranks, also granted a monetary award). Class I - a Burmese bayet with three layers embossed in silver, with two crossed spears on the topmost layer. Ribbon: yellow with a vertical green stripe in the centre. Class II - a Burmese bayet with two layers embossed in silver, with two crossed spears on the topmost layer. Ribbon: edged in green. Class III - a Burmese bayet with one layer embossed in silver, with two crossed spears on the topmost layer. Ribbon: edged in green with a green stripe in the centre.

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