A member of a reformed Benedictine monastic order founded in 1098 at Cîteaux, France, emphasizing strict observance of the Rule of St. Benedict, manual labor, and architectural simplicity.
From Medieval Latin 'Cistercium,' the Latin name for Cîteaux, the French abbey where the order was founded. The name comes from 'cisterna' (cistern) referring to the marshy location of the original monastery, reflecting the order's preference for remote, undeveloped locations.
Cistercians were the 'back-to-basics' movement of medieval monasticism—they rejected the wealth and complexity of older monasteries, choosing to live in remote wilderness areas and support themselves through farming and crafts! Their white robes earned them the nickname 'White Monks' in contrast to the black-robed Benedictines.
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