The custom of rewarding outstanding citizens with distinctive signs dates back to ancient times. Starting from the 9th century, princes were awarded gold for military exploits, in the 14th century, those who distinguished themselves could be welcomed to a castle or an estate, and by the 17th century special distinctive signs appeared in use, testifying to outstanding achievements. These signs are just orders and medals.
Order
The Order is a sign of a special award, which is awarded to persons for outstanding achievements in military and public service, sports, science, art, as well as in the public and political sphere. Orders are subdivided into state and public.
The order in the modern view is the highest form of awarding an outstanding citizen, regardless of his social affiliation. The origin of the order is associated with a knightly tradition. In the Middle Ages, orders were awarded only to those citizens who stood at a high social level. Holders of honorary orders at that time were bound by the common goal of serving the Russian state.
Medals
A medal is a distinctive sign that is awarded for important services in a particular area of the national economy, art, science and sports.
In ancient times, medals were also presented only to distinguished people of the upper class. The medal was a valuable gift in the form of a gold or silver coin that was worn around the neck like a medallion. The awarded medal indicated that its owner has a high social status, i.e. she was not only an indicator of the prowess and special merits of the owner, but also a sign of a special position in society.
Today, the medal is awarded for outstanding service and heroic deeds. It is now not customary to wear it around the neck; the insignia is attached to the clothes with a clip or a pin.
Medals are subdivided into commemorative and award medals. Jubilees are awarded to honorary members of various organizations and participants in important celebrations and members of delegations. The presentation of this type of medal is usually timed to coincide with memorable dates.
Award medals are awarded for military successes, heroism, achievements in labor, as well as sports victories. It is important that today the medal may have absolutely nothing to do with the actual state affairs, it can be a kind of internal mark of distinction, for example, a medal in honor of the anniversary of education can be approved by any enterprise. Such an insignia does not have any "state" meaning, but is very honorable within the walls of a single enterprise. Often, these medals are used as incentive measures. There are medals of the Federal Migration Service of Russia, prosecutors and other executive authorities.
If we talk about the fundamental difference between an order and a medal, then it is as follows: an order is a more honorable than a medal, a distinctive sign. Together with the order, a person is awarded an order book, which gives the right to claim a number of social benefits and benefits. In addition, a modern order can be awarded to the same person more than once.
