History

The Order of the White Falcon was originally founded by Duke Ernst August to honour Emperor Charles VI, but the order quickly fell into disuse.

The order was renewed on October 18, 1815 by Grand Duke Carl Ernst, and it was awarded to Saxon citizens in recognition of meritorious civil and military service, especially service that benefited the ducal house.

While it was primarily a house order, it was also conferrable to foreign high ranking heads of state.

The Type II order awards were conferred within the Civil Division and the Military Division.

The Military Division awards conferred from 1815 to 1870 feature a trophy of arms design on the reverse, while the Military Division awards conferred from 1870 to 1918 feature crossed swords through the centre of the cross and a wreath on the reverse.

The Civil Division awards conferred from 1815 to 1918 feature a wreath on the reverse and no crossed swords.

The Type II Grand Cross and Grand Cross Breast Star that were conferred upon members of royal houses and heads of state were larger in size than the regular awards.

In 1892, a version was created to recognise general merit that was rendered in the name of the grand ducal house. The awards for general merit did not feature a red and green enamelled square between the cross arms.