The Ludwig Order (German: Großherzoglich Hessischer Ludwigsorden), was an order of the Grand Duchy of Hesse which was awarded to meritorious soldiers and civilians from 1807 to 1918.
The order was founded by Louis I, Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine as an order of merit without name or statute on 25 August 1807.
On 14 December 1831 statutes were adopted for the order, giving it its formal name, dividing it into five classes, and setting the terms for award.
It was to be awarded to meritorious soldiers and civilians "von den obersten Stufe bis auf die unterste"[This quote needs a citation] (from the highest level to the lowest).
[1] The order became obsolete with the abdication of the last Grand Duke of Hesse in November 1918.