The Carthusian Order, also called the Order of Saint Bruno, is a Roman Catholic religious order of enclosed monastics.
The order is founded by Saint Bruno of Cologne in 1084 and includes both monks and nuns.
The order has its own Rule, called the Statutes, rather than the Rule of Saint Benedict, and combines eremitical and cenobitic life.The name Carthusian is derived from the Chartreuse Mountains; Saint Bruno built his first hermitage in the valley of these mountains in the French Alps.
The word charterhouse, which is the English name for a Carthusian monastery, is derived from the same source.
The same mountain range lends its name to the alcoholic cordial Chartreuse produced by the monks since 1737 which itself gives rise to the name of the colour.
The motto of the Carthusians is Stat crux dum volvitur orbis, Latin for "The Cross is steady while the world is turning."
