Orders, decorations, and medals of Macau
The government of Macau confers honors every year which are classified into: "Grand Lotus," "Golden Lotus," and "Silver Lotus," as well as medals of achievements for professional elite organizations or government departments.
Categories
The Macanese honors system of civil decorations awarded by the government of the Macau Special Administrative Region of China (MSAR) includes:
- Grand Medal of Lotus Flower (GML) (Medalhas de honra de Grande Lótus), the highest award under the MSAR honors and awards system, recognizes lifelong and highly significant contributions to the wellbeing of Macau.
The first two persons given this honor in 2001 were:
- Ma Man-kei (1919-2014) - late business tycoon, former Chairman of the Macau Chamber of Commerce, former member of the Legislative Assembly of Macau, former Vice-Chairman of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
- Tong Seng Chiu, former president of the Macao Federation of Workers' Union
- Honorable Medal of Golden Lotus Flower (GLM) (Medalhas de honra de Lótus de Ouro) is awarded for distinguished services to the community or who have rendered public or voluntary services of high merit.
The first three persons given this honor in 2001 were:
- Stanley Ho - business tycoon and casino owner
- Chui Tak Kei - entrepreneur, social activist and philanthropist; late uncle of Macau Chief Executive Fernando Chui
- Lao Kuong Po - community activist, dentist and founding chairman of the Macau General Union of the Neighborhood Associations[1]
- Honorable Medal of Silver Lotus Flower (SLM) (Medalhas de honra de Lótus de Prata) is awarded for leadership in public affairs and/or voluntary work over a long period.
The first three persons given this honor in 2001 were:
- Roque Choi (1921-2006) - late businessman and founder of Seng Heng Bank, former vice-president of the Commercial Association of Macau, former President of the Leal Senado, member of the Macau Legislative Assembly, member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
- Liang Pi Yun (1907-) - social activist, educationalist, journalist, poet and calligrapher[2]
- Peter Pan
Other Categories
- Order of Merit (Ordem do mérito)
- Medal of Excellent Service (Medalha de serviço excelente)
- Certificate of Merit (Certificado de mérito)
Colonial orders, decorations and medals (pre-1999)
Prior to transfer of sovereignty in 1999, the Portuguese honors system was in use.
Military decorations were awarded to Portuguese military personnel serving in Macau only:
- Armed Forces Expeditions Commemorative Medal and Armed Forces Special Service Commissions Commemorative Medal – Macau
Civilian and Civil awards given by the Macau Government:
- Medal of Professional Merit (Government of Macau)
- Medal of Value (Government of Macau)
- Medal of Cultural Merit (Government of Macau)
Portuguese orders given to Portuguese and Macanese in Macau:
- Order of Aviz (Ordem Militar de Aviz)
- Grand Cross (GCA)
- Grand Officer (GOA)
- Commander (ComA)
- Officer (OA)
- Knight (CavA) or Dame (DamA)
- Cross of St. George (1st Class)
- Order of Christ (Portugal) (Ordem Militar de Christo)
- Grand Cross (GCC)
- Grand Officer (GOC)
- Commander (ComC)
- Knight (CavC) or Dame (DamC)
- Order of Prince Henry (Ordem do Infante Dom Henrique)
- Grand Collar (Grande Colar – GColIH)
- Grand Cross (Grã-Cruz – GCIH)
- Grand Officer (Grande-Oficial – GOIH)
- Commander (Comendador – ComIH)
- Officer (Oficial – OIH)
- Knight / Dame (Cavaleiro / Dama – CavIH / DamIH)
- Silver Medal (Medalha de Prata – MedPIH) and a Gold Medal (Medalha de Ouro – MedOIH)
- Order of the Tower and Sword (Ordem Militar da Torre e Espada do Valor, Lealdade e Mérito)
- Grand Collar (GColTE)
- Grand Cross (GCTE)
- Grand Officer (GOTE)
- Commander (ComTE)
- Officer (OTE)
- Knight (CavTE) or Dame (DamTE)