From the time of the Swedish king Eric IX the Holy (1150-1160), as a result of three crusades (1155, 1249 and 1293), the Swedes took possession of all of Southern Finland up to the Karelian Isthmus. Around 1220, the Swedes founded an episcopal see in Åbo (Turku). The first bishop was Thomas, an Englishman by birth. Under him, the Swedes, in alliance with the Order of the Sword, equipped a strong army under the leadership of Jarl Birger to conquer Novgorod, but were defeated by Prince Alexander Nevsky near the Neva River. The Swedish marshal Torkel Knutson made a campaign against the Novgorodians in 1293, conquered southwestern Karelia and founded the Vyborg castle there. Hostilities between the Swedes and Novgorodians continued almost continuously until 1323, when the Swedish king Magnus Erikson, with the assistance of the Hanseatics, concluded an agreement with the Novgorodians in Noteburg (Oreshkovo, then Shlisselburg). This treaty was the first to establish the eastern border of Swedish possessions.

In 1362 the Finns received from ancient times the right, which belonged only to the native Swedes, to participate in the choice of the king; thus, from the conquered area, the country became a full part of the Swedish kingdom.

In 1556, the Swedish king Gustav Vasa appointed his son John (Johan), who received the title of Duke of Finland, as the ruler of the economically most developed southwestern part of Finland (the so-called Finland proper or native Finland, Egentliga Finnland). After his death in 1560. Gustav Vasa, Duke John (Johan) decided to secede from Sweden and become an independent sovereign: he entered into a fight with his brother, the Swedish king Eric XIV (1560-68), but was defeated and taken prisoner to Stockholm, and in 1563 the Duchy of Finland was abolished . Having become the king of Sweden, Johan (reigned 1568-92) generously rewarded the Finnish nobles for their support: they were exempted from compulsory military service, but retained the freedom associated with this duty from paying land taxes. In the reign of John (Johan), Finland in 1581 received the status of the Grand Duchy within the Swedish kingdom.

In 1617, under the Stolbovsky peace treaty, Russia ceded a vast area to Sweden - the so-called Keksholm district.

During the Great Northern War (1697-1718) after the Battle of Napue (1714), the territory of Finland was occupied by Russian troops. The Nishtad Peace Treaty of 1721 secured for Russia the territories it had conquered in 1702-1704. Ingermanland, South-Western Karelia, Vyborg, Kexholmsky District, which since 1706 were part of a huge Ingrian province(since 1719 it was finally renamed to St. Petersburg province).

After the Russian-Swedish war of 1741-1743. between Sweden and Russia on August 17, 1743, the Abo peace treaty was concluded, according to which Sweden ceded to Russia the southeastern Finnish province of Kimenegerd with the fortresses of Friedrichsgam and Wilmanstrand, as well as the city and fortress of Neishlot. The Russian-Finnish border moved west to the Kumen River.

In the course of the reform of administrative management under Catherine II the Great, from the composition of the St. Petersburg province, Vyborg Viceroyalty, whose cities (Wilmanstrand, Vyborg, Kexholm, Neishlot, Serdobol and Friedrichsgam) on October 4, 1788, their former coats of arms were approved

In 1804, the Vyborg Viceroyalty was transformed into Finnish province with the center in Vyborg (the so-called "Old Finland").

In 1807, on the so-called. The Tilsit meeting between Alexander I and Napoleon decided the fate of Finland: among other secret conditions, France provided Russia with taking Finland away from Sweden. The reason for the Swedish-Russian war of 1808-1809. was the refusal of the Swedish king Gustav IV Adolf (1792-1809) to join the alliance of France and Russia against England. In February 1808, Russian troops crossed the Swedish-Russian border, and already in May, after the capitulation of the fortress of Sveaborg, all of Southern and Middle Finland was already in the hands of Russian troops.

According to the Peace of Friedrichsham on September 17, 1809, the entire remaining part of Finland (the so-called "New Finland") and part of Vesterbotnia up to the rivers Torneo and Muonio were annexed to the Russian Empire, while maintaining the status that had existed since 1581 Grand Duchy of Finland (Storfurstendöme Finnland).

The Grand Duke of Finland was the Russian Emperor, whose representative in Finland was the Governor-General, who was the chairman of the local government - the Imperial Senate (until 1816 - the Governing Council). The representative body of power was the Seim, convened by the Russian Emperor. The Grand Duchy had its own customs for trade with Russia and other countries; Finland's revenues were not poured into the general imperial treasury and were entirely used for internal needs. Since 1860, its own coin was minted - the Finnish mark (the Russian ruble was subject to exchange for a mark on the territory of the Grand Duchy, the Finnish mark was not circulated outside Finland).

In 1811, the Finnish province was ceded to the newly annexed Grand Duchy of Finland.

"The shield has a red field covered with silver rosettes, which depicts a golden lion with a golden crown on its head, standing on a silver saber, which it supports with its left paw, and in its right it holds a silver sword raised up."

Used materials and an image from the armorial of P.P. von Winkler

A similar coat of arms of Finland appeared around 1581 shortly after the approval of the title "Grand Duke of Finland and Karelia" by the Swedish king John (Johan) III. The image of just such a coat of arms of Finland is on the bas-relief of the tomb of Gustav I in the Cathedral of Uppsala, the design of the new coat of arms was allegedly created by the Dutch artist Willem Boyen, who worked in Sweden under Gustav I and under Eric XIV. However, it is not known for sure whether the coat of arms is a figment of the imagination of William Boyen, or whether the latter created it on the advice of King Eric XIV, who was known to be interested in heraldry, during which the monument to Gustav I was designed and construction began, or anyone else. The dispute about the authorship of the idea of ​​a new coat of arms of Finland has not been resolved so far. The lion of the Finnish coat of arms is believed to have been taken from the family coat of arms of the Swedish kings Folkungs, the two swords - from the historical coat of arms of Karelia (first mentioned in 1560), or from the coat of arms of the province of Satakunta. The coat of arms reflected the political situation of the time when the wars between Sweden and Russia were taking place, the lion trampling on the crooked (Russian) saber symbolized the victory over neighboring Russia. The number of roses on the coat of arms has varied over time, but usually 9 roses are depicted according to the number of historical parts of Finland.

Information used by Maunu Harmo (Finland)

On December 8, 1856, the title coat of arms of the Grand Duke of Finland for the Russian Tsar was approved. The coat of arms remained unchanged, only the lion was depicted with only one foot trampling on the saber. The shield was crowned by the so-called. "Finnish crown", specially invented for this coat of arms, the crown had high auxiliary teeth, the central tooth depicted a double-headed royal eagle.

However, in Finland, the new crown was not popular, more often (for example, on local stamps, etc.) the usual princely or ducal crown was used.

Used photocopies of stamps

The coat of arms of Finland has been officially used as the main state symbol of the country only since 1978. Although it is clear at first glance that the symbols depicted on it have a much longer history. Their roots should be sought in the Middle Ages, when a stylized lion appeared on the statue of Gustav I Vasa, one of the most famous Swedish monarchs. The statue was installed in the Gothic cathedral of Uppsala.

Animal battle for the throne

An interesting fact regarding the image of a lion on the coat of arms of Finland: at a certain period of time, a real struggle broke out between supporters of a lion and a bear over which animal should take center stage on the main symbol. Even among the ancient Scandinavians, the lion was considered a symbol of power, the personification of power. Although, according to the assurances of individual scientists, it was not a lion, but a lynx, which is more familiar. Part of the population entered into a discussion, suggesting that the image of an exotic lion be replaced by a stylized bear. After all, this animal acts as a symbol of northern Finland, is one of the most popular characters in Finnish folklore and folk culture.

There was a project of the Great Coat of Arms of Finland, in which there was a place for both a lion (lynx) and a bear. However, this project was never officially approved, the lion remained the winner in the struggle for a place on the state symbol of the country.

Power and might

The coat of arms of Russia's northern neighbor clearly testifies to Finland's desire for independence, the creation of a strong state that can withstand any enemy. The lion is the main character on the state emblem of the country. Each of its details is special, each element plays its role. Noble colors and shades are used in the design:

• scarlet shield field;
• Golden Lion;
• the saber and sword are silver, their hilts are golden;
• nine silver rosettes decorating the field.

The lion is turned in profile, in his right paw is a sword raised high up. The left animal holds the saber. He seems to be standing on it, symbolically trampling - this is a kind of allusion to the victory of Christians over Muslims. The shield is crowned with a crown similar to those used by the German princes.

When Finland was part of the Russian Empire, this shield was placed against the background of the double-headed Russian eagle. At the same time, a detail was invented, which received the name of the Finnish crown. The Finns did not accept this crown. And only in 1886 the coat of arms of Finland appeared, which can still be seen on the official documents of the citizens of this country.

Below is a brief description of the coat of arms of Finland, its symbols and history. The report is based on the official description of the coat of arms and the most commonly accepted explanation.

national emblem

When the Swedish king Gustav I (died 1560) gave his son Johan the title of Duke of Finland in 1556, the territory also received its coat of arms, probably approved by the king in 1557, although, as far as we know, Duke Johan never used it. In addition to national emblems, this coat of arms (ill. 1) included two more symbols related to northern and southern Finland, which meant the regions of Satakunta and Varsinais-Suomi, the so-called. native Finland. These two symbols subsequently remained in the coats of arms of these two provinces.

After ascending the throne of Sweden, King Johan III also received the title of "Grand Duke of Finland and Karelia" in 1581. Probably at this time or a little later, Finland received a second coat of arms, which was similar to the current one. According to the generally accepted opinion, this coat of arms was created in the image of a shield on the tombstone of King Gustav I in Uppsala Cathedral (completed in 1591). The monument was designed in the reign of Johan's elder brother, Eric XIV, who was king from 1560 to 1568, but was completed only 30 years later in the reign of Johan. The shield was probably created by the Dutch artist Willem Boyen, who served under both Gustav I and Eric XIV.

We cannot know if the second coat of arms of Finland was simply a figment of Willem Boyen's own imagination or based on the wishes of Eric XIV or some other unknown historical tradition. It is known, however, that Eric XIV himself was interested in heraldry. This topic has been much debated in both academic and amateur circles.

In any case, it is generally accepted that the symbol of the lion comes from the coat of arms of the Folkung family, included in the royal coat of arms of Sweden. The two swords were borrowed from the coat of arms of Karelia, the first known public display of which took place on a banner at the funeral of King Gustav I in 1560.

The placement of a curved Russian saber under the paws of a lion undoubtedly reflects the political situation of that time. Sweden and Russia were almost constantly at war, and the Swedes used this propaganda tool, hinting that they were winning. The nine rosettes have a decorative function, although they have been falsely interpreted as a reference to the nine historical provinces of Finland. It is worth noting that the number of outlets has changed over the centuries.

When Finland gained independence in 1917, the "Lion Crest" became the coat of arms of the new nation. Prior to that, it served as a common symbol of the entire Swedish territory to the east of the Gulf of Bothnia, and from 1809 to 1917 it was the emblem of the Grand Duchy of Finland, which was then under Russian rule.

The coat of arms of Finland is depicted on the national flag, official seals, coins, banknotes, postage stamps. On the president's car, he replaces the license plate.

Legislation on the coat of arms of Finland appeared only in 1978. It contains the official description of the coat of arms and prohibits the sale of the national coat of arms under threat of a fine.

The national coat of arms depicts a crowned lion standing in a scarlet field. The lion in the right front paw, dressed in a plate glove, holds a raised sword and tramples on a curved saber. The lion, the crown, the hilts of the sword and saber, as well as the joints of the glove are gold. Blades and glove are silver. The field is decorated with nine silver rosettes.

Text: Maunu Harmo, former chairman of the Heraldic Society of Finland; last updated March 2011

Flag and coat of arms of Finland - history and meaning

In all countries, the flag, coat of arms and anthem are symbols of statehood. Finland is no exception. But the sovereign symbols of this country have their own specifics. Officially, the flag of Finland is approved in three different forms: national, state and presidential. The history of the flag, as well as its modern look, we will consider with you.

Flag History

In 1556, Finland received some freedom from the Swedes who conquered the country in the 12th century. The new territorial entity - the duchy - adopted the coat of arms two years later. It featured a golden lion on a red background. The heraldic animal stood on its hind legs and had a crown on its head. In the right front paw, which was clad in a plate glove, the beast held a silver sword. The lion propped up a curved silver saber - a symbol of Poland, with which Finland, as part of Sweden, repeatedly fought. All this image was edged with nine silver roses. Therefore, red and gold were the "livery colors" of the state. In 1809, the country was conquered by imperial Russia. After the Crimean War, the question arose about the standard of the ships that were assigned to the ports of the Baltic colony. Since it had the status of autonomy and was called the Grand Duchy of Finland, it was decided to grant it its own flag. Shortly before that, the brother of the Russian Emperor Alexander II, Konstantin Nikolaevich, founded a yacht club in Nyland and came up with an emblem for it - a straight blue cross on a white background.

Liberation from Russia

What happened next? The de facto autonomy of Finland was illusory. The Grand Duke was the Russian emperor. In 1910-1916, the chauvinists carried out increased Russification, which is why a tricolor appeared in the upper left corner as a symbol of the domination of the empire over the Suomi people. But as soon as the February Revolution took place, the Finns destroyed all signs of Russian domination.

But the citizens could not come to a consensus. Some simply ripped off the bottom stripe of the Russian tricolor, while others used red banners with a golden lion on them. In February 1918, the Senate adopted the following flag of Finland: a scarlet cloth with a golden Scandinavian cross (the short crossbar of which is installed vertically). But since during the war the "Reds" completely discredited themselves in the eyes of the population, in May 1918 the Senate decided to change the colors of the national banner. They are white and blue. The Finns remembered the words of their poet Sakarias Topelius, who back in 1862 urged the Senate to adopt these colors. He said that white is the snow-covered fields of the country, and blue is its countless lakes. However, in 1920, the pale cornflower blue color was replaced by dark blue. The coat of arms has also undergone changes. The lion lost his crown on it.

Modern state symbols of the country

The flag and coat of arms of Finland were approved by the country's law of June 1, 1978. He repealed the ordinance of the eighteenth year, as amended by the twentieth. The dark, almost black crossbars are now intensely blue. The right front paw of the lion turned into a human hand. However, the militaristic sword has not disappeared anywhere - it is a symbol of readiness to fight off external enemies. Three incarnations of the banner and the date when the flag should be raised were also developed. The presidential oriflamme and the standard of the armed forces were adopted separately. Basically, they are completely based on the national flag of the country, but complemented by three pigtails and special symbol badges.

National flag of Finland

Siniristilippu - "sinecross" - this is how the Finns affectionately call their civil banner. He is very simple. The national flag is a rectangular white panel, where the length in relation to the width is 18: 11. It flaunts a blue Scandinavian (that is, turned on its side) cross. The length of the cross member in relation to the main axis is three to eleven. The width of the blue stripes of the cross is strictly regulated: three to eleven in relation to the entire panel. The horizontal (main) axis divides the flag strictly in half. As you can see in the photo, the cross forms two pairs of white rectangles. Those closer to the flagstaff have proportions of 5:11 of the banner's width. And the length of the rectangles at the free edge of the banner should be 10:11 of the width of the banner. The transverse cross divides the banner in a ratio of five to three.

A blue cross on a white background also flaunts on the sovereign symbol of the country. This duality, characteristic of the flags of Finland, gives rise to a lot of misunderstandings, because in other states only one sample of the banner is officially adopted. But if you figure it out, the situation is very simple. National banners can be raised by anyone and for any occasion, up to family holidays or funerals. They also decorate all the ships of Finland. And state banners are raised only on clearly indicated dates of official national holidays. In addition, they fly from flagpoles over the buildings of parliament, government and ministries, central government bodies and courts. They decorate the embassies of Finland, the central bank, the border service, the pension fund, state higher educational institutions.

How is the state banner different from the national one? Only the presence of a coat of arms at the intersection of two crossbeams. As we remember, it represents a golden lion standing on its hind legs against a red background. The beast holds a sword in its paws and tramples on a saber. For beauty, the red square of the coat of arms is framed by a yellow border, the width of which is one fortieth of the thickness of the crosses.

Flag of the President of Finland

In addition to the national and state banner, this Scandinavian country also uses kielekkeinen valtiolippu - a banner with pigtails. What does the flag of Finland with "teeth" look like? It differs from its counterparts in that three cloth triangles are attached to the free edge of the cloth. The base of the middle "pigtail" adjoins the blue base of the cross and is equal to its width. And the upper and lower triangles form the corresponding corners of the panel in the free part. All three pigtails have cutouts 5/11 of the width of the banner, and their length should be one sixth to eleven of the free edge of the panel. The standard with teeth symbolizes either the President or the military department of the country. A more precise affiliation can be determined by paying attention to the upper left rectangle (the one closer to the flagpole). On the oriflamme of the President of the Republic there is the Cross of Liberty. It is golden (yellow).

Finnish military flag

Pigtails are not only on the presidential oriflamme. The military flag of Finland, the photo of which you see, is also notched. It is used by the Minister of Defense, the Commander-in-Chief, the Central Headquarters of the Armed Forces and its departments. In addition, three-pronged banners adorn the stern of warships. On the banner of the Commander-in-Chief, as well as in the Presidential banner, at the intersection of two crossbeams there is an image of the coat of arms of Finland. The Armed Forces have a special icon in the upper left rectangle.

For many people, the flag of the Finnish Air Force, the photo of which you see, causes shock. Swastika? Fascism? Far from it. This runic sign, denoting the sun and its cycle, was revered by the Finns long before Hitler set out on a maniacal idea to take over the whole world. Back in 1918, the swastika was recognized as the symbol of the Finnish Air Force. After the end of World War II, the Finns pledged to remove this odious badge from the Air Force banner, but they never did. They argued that the Nazis had an oblique swastika, while the symbol of the Sun was straight.

Varka Svetlana Gennadievna