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The Order of the White Rose

The Order of the White Rose of Finland (or Suomen Valkoisen Ruusun ritarikunta in Finnish) is, along with the Order of the Cross of Liberty, and the Order of the Lion of Finland, one of Finland’s three Orders. The President is the Grand Master of all three. The order’s rules and regulations were confirmed on May 16, 1919, and its present rules date from June 1, 1940.

The Order of the White Rose of Finland was established by Gustaf Mannerheim on January 28, 1919. The name comes from the nine roses argent in the coat of arms of the country. Generally, the Grand Cross with Collar is awarded only to foreign heads of state, e.g. to King Fuad I of Egypt (1935), Charles de Gaulle (1962), Josip Broz Tito (1963) and King Birendra of Nepal (1988).

The honor can be granted for military as well as civilian merit.

The classes of the Order of the White Rose are:

  • FIN Order of the White Rose Grand Cross BAR.png Grand Cross of the White Rose of Finland with Collar
  • FIN Order of the White Rose Grand Cross BAR.png Grand Cross of the White Rose of Finland
  • FIN Order of the White Rose Commander 1st Class BAR.png First Class Commander of the White Rose of Finland
  • FIN Order of the White Rose Commander BAR.png Commander of the White Rose of Finland
  • FIN Order of the White Rose Knight 1st Class BAR.png First Class Knight of the White Rose of Finland
  • Order of the White Rose Ribbon.PNG Knight (Chevalier) of the White Rose of Finland
  • FIN Cross of Merit of the Order of the White Rose BAR.png Cross of Merit of the White Rose of Finland
  • FIN Medal 1st Class of the Order of the White Rose BAR.png First Class Medal of the White Rose of Finland with golden cross
  • FIN Medal 2nd Class of the Order of the White Rose BAR.png First Class Medal of the White Rose of Finland
  • FIN Medal 3rd Class of the Order of the White Rose BAR.png Medal of the White Rose of Finland

The Order of the White Rose Design

The original decorations were designed by Akseli Gallen-Kallela. The swastikas of the collar were replaced by fir crosses in 1963, which were designed by heraldic artist Gustaf von Numers. The ribbon for all classes is ultramarine. The motto of the Order appears on the medallion and is Isänmaan hyväksi, which means “For [the well-being or benefit or advantage of] the Fatherland“.

The President of Finland wears the Grand Cross of the White Rose of Finland with a Collar or neck chain. The Collar is worn four centimetres from either side and hangs at equal distances at the front and back. The Grand Cross and Commander marks are awarded with a breast star.

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