In the Ordinance of Medals (Dajokan fukoku No. 63) issued in December 1881, the Medal with Red Ribbon, the Medal with Green Ribbon and the Medal with Blue Ribbon were established, and the conferment of medals was started.
1881年（明治14年）12月褒章条例（明治14年太政官布告第63号）の公布により紅綬褒章、緑綬褒章、藍綬褒章が制定され褒章の授与が始まる。