| National Order of the Southern Cross | |
|---|---|
 Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross | |
| Awarded by the Government of Brazil and the Brazilian Imperial Family | |
| Type | National Order and dynastic order |
| Motto | Benemerentium Præmium[1] |
| Eligibility | Foreign nationals[2] |
| Awarded for | "As a token of gratitude and recognition for those who have rendered significant service to the Brazilian nation."[2] |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Founder | Pedro I of Brazil |
| Grand Master | The President of Brazil[3] (the national order) |
| Chancellor | The Minister of Foreign Affairs[3] |
| Grades | Grand Collar Grand Cross Grand Officer Commander Officer Knight |
| Statistics | |
| First induction | December 1, 1822[4] |
 Ribbon bar of the National Order of the Southern Cross | |
.jpg)
The National Order of the Southern Cross (Portuguese: Ordem Nacional do Cruzeiro do Sul) is a Brazilian order of chivalry founded by Emperor Pedro I on 1 December 1822. The order aimed to commemorate the independence of Brazil (7 September 1822) and the coronation of Pedro I (1 December 1822).[5] The name derives from the geographical position of the country, under the constellation of the Southern Cross and also in memory of the name – Terra de Santa Cruz (Land of the Holy Cross) – given to Brazil following its first arrival by Europeans in 1500.[4]
- ^ Ordem Nacional do Cruzeiro do Sul Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine Banco Central do Brasil. Retrieved on 2010-10-10. (in Portuguese).
- ^ a b National Order of the Southern Cross Medal-Medaille. Retrieved on 2010-10-10.
- ^ a b Condecorações: Cruizeiro do Sul – Conselho Archived 2012-03-11 at the Wayback Machine Ministério das Relações Exteriores. Retrieved on 2010-10-10. (in Portuguese).
- ^ a b Condecorações: Cruizeiro do Sul – Histórico Archived 2010-09-02 at the Wayback Machine Ministério das Relações Exteriores. Retrieved on 2010-10-10. (in Portuguese).
- ^ White, William. Notes and queries, Volume 78. London: 1888, p. 173.