The Grand Order of the Plum Blossoms/대훈위이화대수장 was founded by Emperor Kwangmu on April 17, 1900/1900년 4월 17일 by Imperial edict No.13/칙령(勅令) 제13호 "Promulgation of the Ordinance for Awards and Decorations"/훈장 조례를 반포하다 .
According to the article 4 of the edict it was awarded in one class only - Grand Cordon.
제4조
서성 대훈장과 이화 대훈장은 등급이 없다. 태극장의 위에 있다.
According to the article 5 of the edict it was conferred on holders of the Grand Cordon of the Taeguk Order of Merit as a special honour (i.e. it was the superior class of the Taeguk).
제5조
이화 대훈장은 문무관 중에서 태극 1등장을 패용한 자가 특별한 공훈이 있을 때에 특지로 서사한다.
Obviously this order was the korean equivalent of the japanese Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Flowers.
Original design.
(note that the central medallions of the badge and breast star have clockwise taegeuk but in reality badges of the order have counter-clockwise taegeuks (see sets below).
According to the article 4 of the edict it was awarded in one class only - Grand Cordon.
제4조
서성 대훈장과 이화 대훈장은 등급이 없다. 태극장의 위에 있다.
According to the article 5 of the edict it was conferred on holders of the Grand Cordon of the Taeguk Order of Merit as a special honour (i.e. it was the superior class of the Taeguk).
제5조
이화 대훈장은 문무관 중에서 태극 1등장을 패용한 자가 특별한 공훈이 있을 때에 특지로 서사한다.
Obviously this order was the korean equivalent of the japanese Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Flowers.
Original design.
(note that the central medallions of the badge and breast star have clockwise taegeuk but in reality badges of the order have counter-clockwise taegeuks (see sets below).