Order of the Cross of the Eagle
The Order of the Cross of the Eagle (Kotkaristi teenetemärk) was instituted in 1928 by the Estonian Defence League to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Estonian independence. It was adopted as a state order in 1936. The Order of the Cross of the Eagle is bestowed to give recognition for military services and services in the field of national defence.
Order of the Cross of the Eagle
Borodun talk · Self-photographed · Public domain
- Name
- Order of the Cross of the Eagle
- Period
- 1928
- Region
- Estonia
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Documentary summary
The Order of the Cross of the Eagle (Kotkaristi teenetemärk) was instituted in 1928 by the Estonian Defence League to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Estonian independence. It was adopted as a state order in 1936. The Order of the Cross of the Eagle is bestowed to give recognition for military services and services in the field of national defence.
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wikidata · Q1539661 · wikipedia · Order of the Cross of the Eagle
In this article
Overview
Overview
It is awarded in civil and military divisions. The awards made to members of the military are denoted by the addition of crossed swords to the decoration.
Recorded constituent parts are 1st Class of the Military Order of the Cross of the Eagle, 1st Class of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle, 2nd Class of the Military Order of the Cross of the Eagle and 2nd Class of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle. It is associated with Estonia. The record gives 1928 as its date of establishment or first appearance.
Estonia. Order of the Cross of the Eagle 1st class with Swords, breaststar. The exhibition of the Estonian State Decorations at the National Library of Estonia in Tallinn.
Borodun talk · Self-photographed
Estonia. Order of the Cross of the Eagle 1st class; badge, breaststar and sash. The exhibition of the Estonian State Decorations at the National Library of Estonia in Tallinn.
Borodun talk · Self-photographed
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Order of the Cross of the Eagle • Type — Order granted in 5 classes with three affiliated crosses, in both civil and military divisions. • Eligibility — Civilians and military personnel • Awarded For — Military services and services in the field of national defence • Established — 17 February 1928 13 September 1936 as a state order • Higher — Order of the White Star • Same — Order of the Estonian Red Cross • Image2 — 1st Class 2nd Class 3rd Class 4th Class 5th Class Gold Cross Silver Cross Iron Cross • Caption2 — Ribbon bars of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle
Classes
Classes
The Order of the Cross of the Eagle comprises eight classes: • Five basic classes - 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th class; • Three medal classes - crosses in gold, silver and iron; The crosses of all the classes of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle have the same design. The colour tone of the orange moiré ribands belonging to the decorations of all the classes of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle is determined according to the international PANTONE colour-table as 137 MC. The Order of the Cross of the Eagle is a military decoration if two crossed swords are affixed to it as follows: • The cross has crossed swords movably attached at the hilts of the swords to the tips of the top arms of the cross. The length of the swords together with their hilts is 35 mm for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd class decorations and 33 mm for the 4th and 5th class decorations and the gold, silver and iron crosses; • The star has crossed swords affixed to the oblique rays of the star and the vertical and horizontal rays remain uncovered. The swords are set hilts down. The length of each sword is 85 mm. The medals of the affiliated crosses of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle have swords in the same metal as their cross.
Gallery
Gallery
• Illustration — 1st Class of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle • Illustration — 2nd Class of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle • Illustration — 3rd Class of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle • Illustration — 4th Class of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle • Illustration — 5th Class of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
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Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 16 August 2026.
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1,069 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
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