The order takes its name from the green floral crown of rue (crancelin) found in the coat of arms of Saxony.

Twice, the order was granted in a special grade with diamonds, to Portuguese Prime Minister Dom Nuno José de Moura Barreto, Duke of Loulé in 1859 and Chancellor Otto von Bismarck in 1885.

[2] The badge of the order is a gold Maltese cross, enameled in green with a white border.

The center of the star bears a gold medallion with the motto of the order, PROVIDENTIÆ MEMOR, inside a ring of green rue leaves.

The badge of the order is borne on a riband of grass green, worn over the right shoulder.