The Chilean honours system provides a means for the Government of Chile to reward gallantry, achievement, or service, by both Chileans and non-citizens. The honours system consists of three types of award: orders, decorations and medals. Membership of an Order (in one of its various grades) is conferred to recognise merit in terms of achievement and service. Decorations are conferred to recognise specific deeds of gallantry, bravery, distinguished or meritorious service. Medals are conferred to recognise long and/or valuable service and/or good conduct. Awards to non-citizens are usually only made where the gallantry, achievement or service has advanced Chilean interests in some way. The honours conferred by the Chilean Republic can be divided into two groups: civil and military. Military honours are conferred by the different branches of the Armed Forces of Chile. Civil honours are conferred by the President of Chile or, in some instances, by the government minister relevant to the particular honour.
Civil orders
Order of Merit
()
The Order of Merit of Chile () was established in 1906, as a successor order to the Legion of Merit, to 'reward outstanding civil service to the Republic of Chile provided by foreign nationals'. The order is governed by the Council of the Order of Merit of Chile. The President of Chile is the Chair of the council. The remaining councilors comprise the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Chancellor of the Order), the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the Director General Foreign Policy and the Director General Ceremonial and Protocol (Secretary of the Order) while the Deputy Director Protocol serves as the Secretary of the Order. The order consists of five classes: Collar (), I* Class Grand Cross (), I Class Grand Officer (), II Class Commander (), III Class Officer (), IV Class Knight (), V Class
Order of Bernardo O'Higgins
The Order of Bernado O'Higgins () was established in 1956 as an extension of the Order of Merit of Chile in order to recognise foreign nationals for their 'outstanding contribution to the arts, sciences, education, industry, trade or social and humanitarian cooperation'. The Order of Bernardo O'Higgins is conferred by the Chilean President on the advice of the Minister of Foreign Relations. The order was originally established in two classes: Bernardo O'Higgins Medal, I Class () Bernardo O'Higgins Medal, II Class () In 1967 the order was reorganised into five classes, and after modifications in 1985 and 2006, it acquired the same grades as the Order of Merit: Collar (), I* Class Grand Cross (), I Class Grand Officer (), II Class Commander (), III Class Officer (), IV Class Knight (), V Class
Gabriela Mistral Order of Educational and Cultural Merit
The Order of Gabriela Mistral () was established in 1977 and is conferred by the Minister of Education to Chileans and to foreign nationals who have 'made an outstanding contribution benefiting education, culture and the advancement of teaching'. When presented outside of Chile, installation is usually performed at the Chilean embassy, legation or consulate by the highest Chilean representative present or personally by the Minister of Education. The order consists of a single class.
Meritorious Service to the Republic
The decoration for Meritorious Service to the Republic () was established as an order, in 1985, to recognise Chilean citizens for 'services of special importance for the country'. Membership of the Order is conferred by the President of the Republic upon the recommendation of a Council composed of the Ministers of the Interior, Foreign Affairs, Defence, Justice and the Secretary General of the Presidency. The council is also responsible for the order's registry. The order is established in five classes: Grand Star in Gold (), I Class Grand Officer (), II Class Commander (), III Class Silver Star with Golden Laurel (), IV Class Knight (), V Class Silver Star (), VI Class
Order of Naval Merit
The Order of Naval Merit () was established in three classes: Commander (), I Class Officer (), II Class Knight (), III Class
Decorations
President of the Republic decoration
The decoration of the President of the Republic () was established as an order in four classes:
Grand Cross´s Collar (), I Class
Grand Officer (), II Class
Officer (), III Class
Knight (), IV Class
Decorations for gallantry
Decoration of Valour ()
Medal of Valour ()
Decorations for distinguished service
Victory Cross decoration
The Victory Cross decoration () is established in two grades: Grand Victory Cross () Victory Cross ()