Decorations – Symbols and Highest Awards of the Homeland

Since time out of mind, men as individuals, all human and social groups and communities and, particularly, nations considered as sovereign states have had an unquenchable, a primary and spiritual, need to find a manifestation of their characters in external symbols that are comparable to those of others but at the same time as different as possible.

From the simplest and most rudimentary pendants up to the most perfect and precious jewels; from the commonest to the most sophisticated awards and signs of affiliation, to the most prestigious decorations, the highest awards that can be conferred by the head of state for gallantry in war or for suffering, for creative achievements and endeavours in all fields of human and social activity, which have helped the Homeland to become stronger and to flourish, to reinforce its international position.

There can be no doubt, then, that the establishment of a system of national decorations represents an important component in the final act of the establishment of an independent and sovereign Croatian state.