Order of the Illustrious Dragon, a.k.a. Order of the Dragon Ray or Order of the Dragon Light /龍光大綬章; Lóng guāngdà shòuzhāng/ was estabished by Imperial Edict No. 1 of March 1, 1934 (and described in Imperial Decree No. 27 on April 19, 1934) together with Grand Order of the Orchid Blossom https://asiamedals.info/threads/history-of-the-grand-order-of-the-orchid-blossom.27510/. The order was the equivalent of the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun with the Paulownia Flowers.
Imperial Decree /Edict/ No. 7
御名 御璽
康德元年三月一日
勅令第七號
國務總理大臣 鄭孝胥
勳章令
第一條 爲表彰對於國家著有勳績功勞者，賜以勳章。
第二條 勳章之種類及勳等另定之。
第三條 勳章限於本人配戴之，其子孫得保存之。
第四條 關於勳章之配戴繳還及褫奪另定之。
第五條 關於本令之施行有必要之規定，以院令定之。
附則
本令自康德元年三月一日施行。
Gyomei Gyoji /御名御璽 - Imperial Signature and Seal/ [lit. Signed and Sealed by Emperor]
March 1, 1st year of Kangde era = Match 1, 1934
Imperial Decree No. 7
Prime Minister Zheng Xiaoxu
Medals Decree
Article 1 To commend those who have made meritorious service to the country orders are awarded.
Article 2 The types and classes of orders shall be determined separately.
Article 3 The order can only be worn by the person himself and his descendants can keep it.
Article 4 The wearing, returning and revoking of orders shall be determined separately.
Article 5 Necessary provisions for the implementation of this decree shall be determined by Court order.
This decree comes into effect on March 1, the first year of Kangde era.
Imperial Decree /Edict/ No. 27 /with later addendums/
御名 御璽
康德元年四月十九日
勅令第二十七號
國務總理大臣 鄭孝胥
關於勳位及勳章之件
第一條 爲表彰對於國家著有功勞者，獎敘勳位、頒賜勳章。
第二條 勳位分爲九位，如左：
大勳位
勳一位
勳二位
勳三位
勳四位
勳五位
勳六位
勳七位
勳八位
第三條 勳章分爲大勳位蘭花章頸飾、大勳位蘭花大綬章、龍光大綬章、景雲章及柱國章。（康三·第一四號本條修正）
第四條 敘勳位時用獎敘狀。
大勳位及勳二位以上之敘勳狀經御署後鈐用國璽，勳三位以下敘勳狀用國璽，由國務總理大臣奉旨標明年月日，署名之。
敘勳狀按勳章之種別由總務廳人事處長於狀上載明“業經編號註冊在案”外，鈐用國務院印竝署名之。（康元·第一七八號、二·第一四七號、七·第四〇〇號本條中修正）
第五條 大勳位蘭花章頸飾對於已敘大勳位者依特旨頒賜之。大勳位蘭花大綬章對於獎敘大勳位者頒賜之。
第六條 龍光大綬章對於獎敘或已敘受勳一位者依特旨頒賜之。
景雲章及柱國章除獎敘勳一位而頒賜龍光大綬章者外，對於獎敘勳一位至勳八位者頒賜之。（康三·第一四二號本條中修正）
第七條 勳章之圖式以院令定之。
本令自公布日施行。
Gyomei Gyoji
April 19, 1st year of Kangde era = April 19, 1934
Imperial Decree No. 27
Prime Minister Zheng Xiaoxu
Regarding honors and orders
Article 1 To commend those who have made meritorious service to the country, honorary titles and orders will be awarded.
...
Article 3 Orders are divided into the Grand Order of the Orchid Blossom Collar, Grand Order of the Orchid Blossom Grand Gordon, Order of of the Illustrious Dragon, Order of the Auspicious Clouds and Order of the Pillars of the State (article was revised in 1936).
...
Article 6 Order of of the Illustrious Dragon is awarded by special decree to those who have been awarded with 1st class order [of the Auspicious Clouds].
...
Article 7 The pattern of the medal shall be determined by the Court order.
This order shall come into effect on the date of promulgation.
Original line drawings.
The design of the badge is taken from the dragon robe worn bу the Chinese Emperor. Chinese dragons have been associated with the emperor of China since ancient. When used on clothing, the Chinese dragons denote the superiority of its wearer or his aspirations
Official description of miniature button rosette.
Emperor Puyi.
The circle of 28 jewels represents the 28 resting places of the moon on its monthly journey, according to ancient Chinese belief, and the cloud is symbolic of good fortune. The sash colors represent the buе sky and white sun.
Official description of miniature button rosette.
Emperor Puyi.
The circle of 28 jewels represents the 28 resting places of the moon on its monthly journey, according to ancient Chinese belief, and the cloud is symbolic of good fortune. The sash colors represent the buе sky and white sun.