Lintje

Lintje is a Dutch informal term for a small decoration or insignia awarded by a government or royal household in recognition of meritorious service to society, a long-term contribution to a profession, or acts of bravery. The word refers to the award itself as well as to the badge or ribbon that is worn.

The term lintje is a diminutive of lint, meaning ribbon, and is widely used in the Netherlands and in Flanders (Belgian Dutch). Recipients are said to have “received a lintje.” The process and ceremony surrounding such honors are often grouped under “lintjesregen,” an annual event during which new honorees are announced; the actual presentation typically takes place later in the year.

Form and wearing: A lintje usually consists of a small badge or medallion suspended from a colored ribbon and worn on the left side of the chest at formal occasions. The exact design and ribbon colour vary by the specific order or decoration, but a lintje is generally a modest insignia compared with higher or full-sized decorations.

Context and significance: In Dutch-speaking regions, a lintje is a common form of civil recognition for services to society, long-term volunteer work, professional achievement, or acts of courage. It is an honor associated with national or local government and royal gratitude, rather than a military rank. The term remains widely understood as a shorthand for receiving a short, ribbon-based decoration.