The National Order of Merit (Portuguese: Ordem Nacional do Mérito) is a decoration created to reward Brazilian citizens over 25 years of age who have rendered services relevant to the Brazilian nation, and foreigners who, according to the government, are worthy of this distinction.

The insignia of the Order consists of a gold star with six beams, enamelled in white enameled with a wreath of roses, with the center of the obverse the armillary sphere, also of gold, in a blue field, and, on the reverse, the caption: "National Order of Merit".

The necklace consists of two chains alternately ornamented with armillary and pink spheres, allegorical elements of the decoration, and from it hangs the insignia.

The design was inspired by the Imperial Order of the Rose, created by Jean-Baptiste Debret in 1829 at the request of Emperor D. Pedro I to celebrate his marriage with D. Amélie of Leuchtenberg.

The monogram of the emperors was replaced by the armillary sphere and the color of the ribbon (rose) changed to scarlet.