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History of the National Flag of Finland: Siniristilippu
The current officially adopted National flag of Finland has the Nordic Cross, generally found on the flags of the Scandinavian countries. The country has an interesting history of flags dating back to its era of incorporation into the empire of Russia and later the Kingdom of Sweden.
The Finnish flag is also called the ‘Blue Cross Flag’ or Siniristilippu (in the Finnish language). Though there are enough grounds allowing anybody to fly the national flag in Finland, the same is governed by a set of laws prohibiting disrespect and misuse of the flag in any manner.
Design of the Flag of Finland
The design of the flag of Finland is inspired by the national flags of Sweden and Denmark. The flag features a sea-blue Scandinavian Cross on the white field with a vertical stripe inclined parallel towards the hoist side. The flag has a proportion of 11:18 with a dimension of 4:3:4 (vertically) and 5:3:10 (horizontally).
Colors and Significance of the Finnish Flag
Finland is a country with many lakes and other water bodies. The sea-blue color on the Cross represents the water and sky.
The white field of the flag is the symbolism of the snow-covered land in the entire nation during the winter season.
As in the case of other Scandinavian country flags, the Nordic Cross on the Finnish flag also signifies Christianity.
The color scheme of the Finnish flag in the Pantone Matching system is 294 C for blue. The official state flag containing the coat of arms at the intersection of the blue cross has PMS 186 C for red and PMS 123 C for yellow.
History of the Flag of Finland
Until 1809, the flag of Sweden was in official use in the country. At that time, Finland was part of the Kingdom of Sweden.
Unofficial Civil Flag (1848-63)
The historical account of the first-ever independent flag used in Finland is the unofficial flag then used by the Grand Duchy of the country. This flag dates back to 1848 when it was presented along with the Maamme, the national anthem.
The flag boasted the coat of arms of Finland (a crowned golden lion on the red background trampling a white saber with hind paws and holding a sword on the right foreleg) surrounded by black laurel leaves on a white field.
Flags of the Russian Empire (1858-1917)
Finland was annexed by the Kingdom of Russia from Sweden in 1808-09. Post capturing, Alexander I, the Emperor of Russia bestowed the status of autonomous Grand Duchy to Finland.
During 1858-96, the State flag of Russia was adopted by the autonomous Grand Duchy and it was the main flag used in the entire country. The State flag is a tricolor flag of three horizontal stripes of equal dimensions. It featured bands in black at the top, yellow at the middle, and white at the bottom.
In 1896, the State flag was replaced by the National Flag of Russia. It was also a tricolor flag composed of three equal horizontal bands white at the top, blue in the middle, and red at the bottom. This flag was officially used in the entire nation until 1917 when Finland gained independence from the Russian Bolshevik government.
Origin of the Blue Cross Flag
The blue-crossed flag was first introduced and used by the Nyland Yacht Club (Nylandska Jaktklubben), established in 1861 in the capital city Helsinki. However, the design of the yacht club flag is different from the national flag of the country in some aspects. Both the vertical and horizontal bands of the blue cross are in the middle of the flag dividing the white background into four equal quarters. It also displays the emblem of the yacht club in the upper hoist quarter part.
Blue-Crossed Flag of the Grand Duchy (1853-55)
The first instance of using the blue cross flag by the government authority was during the Crimean War. During 1853-55, the Grand Duchy adopted a blue-crossed flag on a white background as the civil ensign but for a temporary period. The blue bands on this flag are wider and darker than that found on the Nylandska Jaktklubben flag.
In 1961, another blue cross flag was adopted by the country for use in private vessels.
Blue-Crossed Scandinavian Flag (1918-Present)
In 1917, on the verge of gaining independence, a competition was held in Finland to create a design of the national flag of the country. Several entries came in proposing colors of the coat of arms and others.
The present design of the Finnish flag was proposed by two designers- Eero Snellman and Bruno Tuukkanen. They created the final flag design based on the design originally conceptualized by the famous poet Zachris Topelius.
The present flag with the sea-blue Nordic Cross on the white field was finally adopted on 29 May 1918.
State Flag (1860-1918)
A red flag with the coat of arms of Finland had remained in use in the country since the mid-19th century. This flag is eminent in the history of Finnish flags. During the 1860s the Grand Duchy of Finland started using the coat of arms flag on a crimson red field. Since it was never adopted as an official flag, it is popularly regarded as the Grand Duchy’s unofficial national flag.
This flag gained immense popularity among almost all population groups during the Russification of Finland from 1899-1917. It was also the temporary official state flag of the independent state of Finland during 1917-18 until the adoption of the new and permanent national flag. This flag was also hoisted at Government Palace on the day Finland declared independence on 6 December 1917.
The State Flag of Finland (1978-Present)
While the blue-crossed flag is used as the national flag, civil flag, and ensign of the country, Finland also adopted a separate State flag and ensign in 1978. It is also the same sea-blue Nordic Cross Flag featuring the coat of arms at the intersection of the blue cross.
The Presidential Standard of Finland (1978-Present)
This flag, adopted in 1978, is used by the President of the Republic of Finland. It is similar in design as the present state flag of the country with a few exceptions. It is a swallow-tailed blue-crossed flag boasting coat of arms at the intersection of the blue cross and the Cross of Liberty in blue and golden yellow at the canton part. It symbolizes the Order of the Cross of Liberty positioning the President as the Grand Master of the country.
Flag Hoisting in Finland
There is no specific rule for flag hoisting days in the country. All government and private institutions, as well as the citizens, can fly the flag whenever they think it is necessary and suitable. However, public organizations, as well as private enterprises, usually hoist the flag on all flag days.
Flag Hoisting Timings: Usually, the flag is hoisted at 8 a.m. in Finland. The lowering time is normally at or after the sunset but must mandatorily be commenced before 9 p.m. The flag is also flown till 8 p.m. on Independence Day every year.
In the event of any national tragedy in the country, the flag is generally flown at half-mast on the recommendation of the ministry of interior.
Finnish Flag Day and Midsummer Celebrations
As part of the Midsummer celebrations and customs in the country, the Finnish national flag is flown from 6 p.m. on Midsummer Eve to 9 p.m. on Midsummer Day. This popular practice signifies that there is no darkness in any part of the country during Midsummer. This day is also celebrated as Flag Day in Finland.
Flag Laws in Finland
The use of the flag of Finland is governed by a set of laws that came into effect on 26 May 1978 under Act No. 380/78. The act strictly mentions the design, dimensions, color scheme, and proportions of the national and state flag. There are certain provisions and restrictions pertaining to the use of official flags subject to strict implementation in the country.
The sixth paragraph of the law strictly forbids the addition of any extra sign or mark on the flag “apart from the cases mentioned” in the flag law of 1978.
The eighth paragraph of the flag law of 1978 mentions that any act of disrespect, causing damage, or taking off the Finnish flag, is subject to the imposition of a fine and punishment.
The use of the state flag and Presidential standard without permission is also forbidden by the flag law of the country. Some common rules pertaining to the use and maintenance of the flag include:
- The flag should never touch the ground
- The flag should not be mutilated or unclean
- After washing the flag it is mandatory to dry it indoors
- A damaged or torn flag must be burnt or cut into several small pieces for disposal in a respectful way
- The flag should never be buried, thrown in water, sea, or garbage