Order of Great Victory of the Thunder Dragon explained

Order of Great Victory of the Thunder Dragon
(Druk Wangyel)
Type:Order
For:as the country’s principal civilian honour
Status:Currently constituted
Head Title:Sovereign
Head:Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
Grades:First Class
Second Class
Date:29 September 1985
Higher:Order of the Dragon King
Lower:Royal Order of Bhutan

The Order of Great Victory of the Thunder Dragon (Dzongkha : Druk Wangyel / Druk Wangyal) is the Highest Civilian Decoration in Bhutan awarded in recognition for outstanding dedication, loyalty and commitment. Instituted by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck on 9 February 1967 and reorganized by King Jigme Singye Wangchuck on 29 September 1985 as the country’s principal national honour, it was redesigned and instituted as the Second Highest Honor in the kingdom. The decoration consists of a Badge and a Star. Its postnominal letter is DWG.

Ranks

It is composed of two classes :

Insignia

General disposition

The general disposition of the insignia depend on the recipient's dress:

In National dress:

In European dress or uniform:

Details

The 60 mm badge consists of a gold-plated back plate consisting of crossed dorji (crossed thunderbolt) with lattice work, and an enamelled flag of Bhutan with beaded gold edge, with the dragon mounted in gold.

The 80 mm breast star consists of a large ornate gold-plated back plate with silver trumpets (dhung) individually pegged onto back star. The centre is an enamelled flag of Bhutan, with the dragon in gold, identical to the badge.

The ribbon is dark orange.

Notable recipients