Order of the Southern Cross

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
TypeNational Order and dynastic order
MottoBenemerentium Præmium[1]
EligibilityForeign nationals[2]
Awarded for"As a token of gratitude and recognition for those who have rendered significant service to the Brazilian nation."[2]
StatusCurrently awarded
FounderPedro I of Brazil
Grand MasterThe President of Brazil[3] (the national order)
ChancellorThe Minister of Foreign Affairs[3]
GradesGrand Collar
Grand Cross
Grand Officer
Commander
Officer
Knight
Statistics
First inductionDecember 1, 1822[4]

Ribbon bar of the National Order of the Southern Cross

Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of the Cross.

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]

  1. ^ 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).
  2. ^ a b National Order of the Southern Cross Medal-Medaille. Retrieved on 2010-10-10.
  3. ^ 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).
  4. ^ 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).
  5. ^ White, William. Notes and queries, Volume 78. London: 1888, p. 173.