The Order's sign and motto
The Order's sign is performed by laying the right hand on the heart followed by clapping the hands with two slow and two fast claps. The right hand is then moved back to the heart at the same time as all present state aloud the Order's motto from 1935 "Remind us of the past and bear in mind the future".
The Order's insignia
The Order's primary insignia is the Star of the Order. This consists of a four-armed eight-pointed silver star, in the centre of which appear two joined hands with the letters E C above and two skulls beneath. The whole is surrounded by a garland of flickering flames. The Star of the Order is worn on a sash or riband.
The Order's other insignia are the Grand Master's baton, the Order's Manual and chain of office, the 1880 Book of the Order, the Grand Star of the Order, three Staffs of the Order, the Coffer of the Order, the Order's Insignia Box and the Chair of the Order.
The Insignia of the Order's Degrees consist of the sign of the order – the Star of the Order on a sash or riband – and the Letter of Designation.
The Order's Degrees
Within the order, there are seven Degrees, in which the Seventh Degree is the Order's highest Degree.
New members enter in the First Degree.
Entrance to higher Degree membership can be earned by members who fulfil the conditions for a higher Degree, and who have submitted a written request and been assessed by the General Conclave. In the request, the member should describe the motives that form the basis for entrance to the higher Degree. This should include the years in which he/she has participated, with current Degree and stating membership number, name, address and telephone number.
The request should be sent to the Chancellor through the Order Office when the conditions for each higher Degree have been fulfilled. However, the request should be received by the Order no later than two weeks before the Day of Solemnity at which the member wishes to participate with the higher Degree.
Members who have been assessed by the General Conclave and found to be suitable will be invited to become a member of the higher Degree. The symbols of the lower Degree should be returned and the established Degree fee for the higher Degree should be paid in order to enter into the higher Degree and to obtain the insignia of the higher Degree – the symbols and letter of designation for Degrees 3-7.
The 1874 Degree system was reintroduced for Commemoration Day 1997
| Degree | Degree colour | Description |
| First Degree Degree of Innocence |
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Degree of Innocence Linked to the letter I in the name of the Order. A small Star of the Order is worn on a purple sash over the heart for Gentlemen and Ladies. New members enter in the First Degree. |
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Second Degree |
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The member has advanced a step further and acquired new friends within the Order The small Star of the Order is worn for gentlemen on a purple riband around the neck and for ladies in a rosette over the heart. Members who have participated in two earlier Days of Solemnity and paid the established annual fees may gain entrance to this Degree. After at least four calendar years. |
| Third Degree Degree of Fidelity |
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The member has demonstrated the fidelity of the Order for several years The large Star of the Order is worn on a yellow sash – broad for gentlemen, narrow for ladies – over the right shoulder. Members who have participated in two earlier Days of Solemnity in the Second Degree and have paid the established annual fees may gain entrance to this Degree. After at least eight calendar years. |
| Fourth Degree Degree of Diplomacy |
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The member has acted as a worthy ambassador for the Order Star of the Order is worn on a royal blue sash – wide for gentlemen, narrow for ladies – over the right shoulder. Members who have participated in two earlier Days of Solemnity in the Third Degree and have paid the established annual fees may gain entrance to this Degree. After at least twelve calendar years. |
| Fifth Degree Degree of Commendeur |
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The member has been a role model for others The rank of Commendeur relates to the letter C in the symbol of the Order. The large Star of the Order is worn on a bright red sash – broad for gentlemen, narrow for ladies – over the right shoulder. Members who have participated in two earlier Days of Solemnity in the Fourth Degree and have paid the established annual fees may gain entrance to this Degree. After at least sixteen calendar years. |
| Sixth Degree Degree of Honour |
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Intended for members of great merit that the Order particularly wants to honour. The large Star of the Order is worn on a purple sash – wide for gentlemen and narrow for ladies. |
| Seventh Degree The Order's Highest Degree |
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The large Star of the Order is worn on a gold edged purple sash – wide for gentlemen over the right shoulder and with a small Star of the Order on a riband around the neck, and narrow for ladies over the right shoulder and a small Star of the Order in a rosette over the heart. |
