The Order of the Lion of Finland

• Time Period: Second World War – WW2
• Institution: 11 September 1942
• Country: Finland

The Order of the Lion of Finland (or Suomen Leijonan ritarikunta in Finnish) is one of three official orders in Finland, along with the Order of the Cross of Liberty and the Order of the White Rose of Finland. It was established on September 11, 1942.

The Order of the Lion of Finland was established to allow the continuation of decorating foreigners with high ranks in Finnish orders, although it can also be awarded to Finnish nationals. This was because the existing Finnish orders could not keep up with the decorations and their highest grades were in danger to become inflated due to too many holders. 

The President of the country is the Grand Master of all three orders, which are administered by boards consisting of a chancellor, a vice-chancellor and at least four members. The orders of the White Rose of Finland and the Lion of Finland have a joint board. The President of Finland wears the Star of the Order of the Lion of Finland.

The classes of the Order of the Lion of Finland are:

• Commander Grand Cross of the Order of the Lion of Finland
• Commander, First Class, of the Order of the Lion of Finland
• Commander of the Order of the Lion of Finland
• Pro Finlandia Medal of the Order of the Lion of Finland (awarded to artists and writers)
• Knight, First Class, of the Order of the Lion of Finland
• Knight of the Order of the Lion of Finland
• Cross of Merit of the Order of the Lion of Finland

The Order of the Lion of Finland Design

The ribbon for all classes of insignia is dark red. The cross size and ribbon width are at their greatest for the Grand Cross and are reduced for the Commander First Class and Commander. The ribbon width for Knights is narrower still, but remains at this width for all decorations down to Medals.