On May 11, 1984, President Chiang Ching-kuo personally decorated the former vice-president Shie Tung-min with the Special Grand Cordon of the Order of Propitious Clouds, for his service to the country. The same decoration will be awarded to Sun Yun-suan, former president of the Executive Yuan.

In general, decorations are awarded in recognition of services rendered by individuals to a nation. They serve to honor those decorated and encourage others to follow their example.

Decorations and medals have a deep-rooted history. The ancient Greeks awarded a gold button for gallantry in the field. The Romans crowned outstanding soldiers with oak and laurel wreaths. During the Middle Ages, heroism and services were sometimes recognized by gifts of swords or grants of land. Later medieval kings created chivalric orders, distinguished by special sashes and badges.

In sixteenth century England, gold and silver decorations were awarded to prominent governmental and naval officers to commemorate military victory. By the seventeenth century, decorations were awarded for participation in a military campaign, and for specific acts of bravery.

Now, in addition to recognition of military service and heroism, decorations may also be conferred for other outstanding contributions.

They are often awarded to foreign presidents, ambassadors or honored guests for their contributions in providing for friendly relations between two countries.

Today the better known medals are the American Congressional Medal of Honor, the Victory Medal for World War I, England's Victoria Cross, Germany's Iron Cross and France's National Order of Merit.

Medals usually consist of two parts: a badge bearing an inscription, portrait or design, and a ribbon on which it is suspended.

They may be worn in various ways. Smaller badges may be pinned to the garment or hung around the neck on a ribbon or cravat. Larger medals may be pinned on the left breast, and accompanied by a smaller medal attached to a cordon stretching from the upper right shoulder to the lower left hip.

In China the earliest decorations were conferred by the emperor in 1862. They were presented to an English consul and military officer, and a French interpreter for their aid in quelling rebels. During the Kuang Hsu reign, (1875-1908 AD) medals were given to the Chinese.

In 1911, Sun Yat-sen instituted a Decoration Law, which stipulated three basic types of medals, and the required qualifications of the recipients.

When the Chinese government moved to Nanking in 1929, all previous medals were abolished and new regulations instituted to determine the use of decorations, honor sabres and special commemorative medals. The regulations classified decorations into various ranks and orders, and specified the qualifications for meriting an award, its design, method of presentation and the occasions in which it is worn. Although some are no longer in use, 19 different types of medals were originally listed.

Chinese decorations may be divided into two categories: civil decorations and military decorations.

There are six different categories of civil decorations, including the Grand Cordon of the Order of Brilliant Jade, Grand Cordon of the Order of Sun Yat-sen, Grand Cordon of the Order of Chiang K'ai-shek, Order of Propitious Clouds, Order of the Brilliant Star, and Order of Brilliant Jade. The latter three have nine different ranks, or classes.

The Grand Cordon of the Order of Brilliant Jade, First Class can be worn only by a president. Bordered with gold and pearls, its star patterned face is made of inset jade.

The Grand Cordon of the Order of Sun Yat-sen has a portrait of Dr. Sun on the main medal, and a picture of a volume of his Three Principles of the People on the accompanying medal. The medal commemorates the father of the country, and has not been presented since the government evacuated to Taiwan.

The Grand Cordon of the Order of Chiang K'ai-shek has a portrait of Chiang on the face, with a picture of the Constitution on the accompanying medal. The medal has been conferred upon two people.

General Ku Tsu-t'ung received the medal for his military service in the Northern Expedition, the anti-Japanese War and the war against the Communist forces.

The painter Chang Ta-ch'ien also received the medal for promoting Chinese culture throughout the world. According to the medal regulations, those such as Chang Ta-ch'ien, who are not in governmental services, are eligible for them when their contributions fall under one of six categories: technical invention, social welfare, culture and education, natural disaster prevention, business and scholarship.

The second category of medals is those given for military merit. They include the Order of National Glory, Order of the Blue Sky and White Sun, Order of the Precious Tripod, Order of Loyalty and Valour and Order of the Resplendent Banner.

The highest medal for military merit is the Order of National Glory. The medal has an eagle in the center, with streaks of gold radiating outward to form the border, representing prospects of national glory. Two of its recipients are General Ho Ying-ch'in, advisor to the president's office, and former defense minister Yu Ta-wei.

Both men feel that the credit for such a medal belongs not just to themselves, but to all of the soldiers who have fought and died on the battlefront. Yu Ta-wei has been awarded numerous medals, but prefers to wear a single small commemorative medal which he received for suffering head and hand injuries during the August 23 Artillery Battle at Kinmen. The medal is special to him because it is one that is not exclusively conferred upon high-ranking officers, but may be merited by all enlisted men.

During his lifetime, former president Chiang K'ai-shek was awarded every existing type of military medal, as well as 43 medals presented to him by foreign presidents, kings and chiefs of state. While it was impossible to don them all, he preferred to wear the Order of the Blue Sky and White Sun during troop inspections and other formal ceremonies and events. At his funeral the Order of National Glory, Order of the Blue Sky and White Sun and the Grand Cordon of the Order of Brilliant Jade were worn on his uniform.

Medals are by no means limited to presidents and generals. According to the medal and decoration regulations, the Order of the Precious Tripod and the Order of the Resplendent Banner may be given to the common soldier as well.

Medals ranked one to four may be conferred on generals. Classes three to six are for colonels, and four to seven are for lieutenants. The common soldier may receive a medal in the seven to nine rankings.

Sergeant Liu Te-feng and Ch'en Rui-ying are examples of two soldiers who received the Special Grand Cordon of the Order of the Resplendent Banner, Ninth Class.

Sergeant Liu received the medal for saving another soldier's life during a parachuting accident. The accident occurred when the ropes of the two men's parachutes became entangled during a jump. The sergeant managed to grab hold of his comrade and bring the two to the ground using one parachute.

Ch'en Rui-ying was a soldier in the Navy. He achieved merit when the controls of a Chinese ship broke down during a storm, requiring another ship to pull it with a cable. Because of the heavy waves caused by the storm it was impossible for another ship to get close enough to throw the cable. Securing the cable on his back, Ch'en Rui-ying dove into the ocean and brought it to the ship, enabling it to be pulled to safety.

Some generals have received a considerable number of medals. After the recipient has passed away, these medals may still be of great significance to the family. One example is the family of the late General Chi Hsin-wen. His wife Shen Chia-pin has carefully kept all of his medals, and continues to polish them regularly. The medals provide an example and inspiration to their children, who do their best to emulate and live up to their father's example.

The correct procedure for recommending a medal recipient, presenting the award, and the medal's placement on the uniform are all carefully stipulated in the medal and decoration regulations.

In most cases a recipient is first recommended by one of the government ministries, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Education. The recommendation is then submitted to one of the five Yuan, (Executive, Legislative, Examination, Judicial or Control). From there it is submitted to the president's office, where the final decision is made.

Presentation of decorations to the Chinese people are made on one of two designated days: New Year's Day or Double Ten, (October 10). Medals for services of particularly significant merit are presented by the president himself. Other medals are presented by heads of government ministries. When conferred in a foreign country, the medal is presented by the ambassador.

With the presentation of the awards, the recipient is given a certificate with a number and official seal. The medal is then pinned to the recipient using a convenient hook with which the medal can be securely attached to the uniform.

Guidelines for wear have also been designated. When not worn on a cravat or hung around the neck, medals must be pinned to the upper left pocket. If there are several, they must be arranged from left to right according to rank. If they cannot be fit into a single row, a second row may be started below the first.

Medals received from foreign countries are usually only worn for international occasions, and must be pinned to the right of the Chinese medals.

The use of medals in China is objectively defined by concrete guidelines and strict, detailed regulations. From a more subjective perspective, the awarding of a medal is an ideal method of honoring those who have made significant contributions to the nation. A medal will also remain long after the death of the recipient, to continue to provide an example and encouragement for others.

(Jill Ardourel)

[Picture Caption]

1. President Chiang Ching-kuo personally decorates former vice-president Shieh Tung-min with the Special Grand Cordon of the Order of Propitious Clouds. 2. The Grand Cordon of the Order of Brilliant Jade is the highest medal of honor awarded in the Republic of China, and can only be worn by heads of state. 3. The Grand Cordon of the Order of Dr. Sun Yat-sen commemorates the father of the country. The center of the main medal has a portrait of Dr. Sun, while the accompanying medal has a picture of his Three Principles of the People.

1. General Ku Tsu-t'ung was the first to be awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of Chiang K'ai-shek. 2. The Grand Cordon of the Order of Chiang K'ai-shek commemorates the late president. The main medal has the characters in his name, while the accompanying medal has a picture of the Constitution. 3. The Order of the Brilliant Star, First Class. 4. The Order of Propitious Clouds has nine class designations. Classes one to three (top row) are worn on a cordon. Classes four and five (middle row) are suspended from a cravat. Classes six to nine (bottom row) are attached to a short ribbon which is pinned to the uniform. 5. President Chiang Ching-kuo presents the Special Grand Cordon of the Order of Propitious Clouds to South African Prime Minister Botha, (second from right).

1. President Chiang Ching-kuo presents the Order of Blue Sky and White Sun to former chief of military staff, Kao K'uei-yuan. 2.3. The late president, Chiang Kai-shek preferred to wear the Order of Blue Sky and White Sun during formal ceremonies and events. 4. The Order of Victory of Resistance Against Aggression is no longer given. 5. From left to right, the Order of Sublime Commencement, Order of the Book of Nature, Order of the Cosmic Diagram, and Order of the Grand Community.

1. The Order of National Glory is the highest military award given. 2. The Special Grand Cordon of the Order of Precious Tripod. The tripod is an ancient vessel of great value which was previously passed on from generation to generation in the imperial court. On the medal, it symbolizes the great value of those who are decorated. 3. On the left is the Order of Loyalty and Industriousness. On the right, the Order of Loyalty and Valour. 4. On the left is a medal commemorating victory in the Anti-Japanese War. On the right, a medal in commemoration of the Sian Incident, which is no longer given. 5. The Order of Renaissance and Honor, First Class.

1. Medals may also be awarded for special service to the nation. Pictured is the Medal of Service. 2. The Medal of Victorious Garrison, Grade A, Second Class. 3. The Order in Commemoration of the Tenth Anniversary of the Oath-taking of the National Revolutionary Army. 4. The Special Grand Cordon of the Order of the Resplendent Banner. 5. A certificate with number and official seal is presented with the decoration.

2. The Grand Cordon of the Order of Brilliant Jade is the highest medal of honor awarded in the Republic of China, and can only be worn by heads of state.

3. The Grand Cordon of the Order of Dr. Sun Yat-sen commemorates the father of the country. The center of the main medal has a portrait of Dr. Sun, while the accompanying medal has a picture of his Three Principles of the People.

1. General Ku Tsu-t'ung was the first to be awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of Chiang K'ai-shek.

2. The Grand Cordon of the Order of Chiang K'ai-shek commemorates the late president. The main medal has the characters in his name, while the accompanying medal has a picture of the Constitution.

3. The Order of the Brilliant Star, First Class.

4. The Order of Propitious Clouds has nine class designations. Classes one to three （top row） are worn on a cordon. Classes four and five （middle row） are suspended from a cravat. Classes six to nine （bottom row） are attached to a short ribbon which is pinned to the uniform.

5. President Chiang Ching-kuo presents the Special Grand Cordon of the Order of Propitious Clouds to South African Prime Minister Botha, （second from right）.

1. President Chiang Ching-kuo presents the Order of Blue Sky and White Sun to former chief of military staff, Kao K'uei-yuan.

2.3. The late president, Chiang Kai-shek preferred to wear the Order of Blue Sky and White Sun during formal ceremonies and events.

2.3. The late president, Chiang Kai-shek preferred to wear the Order of Blue Sky and White Sun during formal ceremonies and events.

4. The Order of Victory of Resistance Against Aggression is no longer given.

5. From left to right, the Order of Sublime Commencement, Order of the Book of Nature, Order of the Cosmic Diagram, and Order of the Grand Community.

1. The Order of National Glory is the highest military award given.

2. The Special Grand Cordon of the Order of Precious Tripod. The tripod is an ancient vessel of great value which was previously passed on from generation to generation in the imperial court. On the medal, it symbolizes the great value of those who are decorated.

3. On the left is the Order of Loyalty and Industriousness. On the right, the Order of Loyalty and Valour.

4. On the left is a medal commemorating victory in the Anti-Japanese War. On the right, a medal in commemoration of the Sian Incident, which is no longer given.

5. The Order of Renaissance and Honor, First Class.

1. Medals may also be awarded for special service to the nation. Pictured is the Medal of Service.

2. The Medal of Victorious Garrison, Grade A, Second Class.

3. The Order in Commemoration of the Tenth Anniversary of the Oath-taking of the National Revolutionary Army.

4. The Special Grand Cordon of the Order of the Resplendent Banner.

5. A certificate with number and official seal is presented with the decoration.