The Order of the White Rose

• Time Period: The Great War – WW1
• Institution: 28 January 1918
• Country: Finland

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:

• Grand Cross of the White Rose of Finland with Collar
• Grand Cross of the White Rose of Finland
• First Class Commander of the White Rose of Finland
• Commander of the White Rose of Finland
• First Class Knight of the White Rose of Finland
• Knight (Chevalier) of the White Rose of Finland
• Cross of Merit of the White Rose of Finland
• First Class Medal of the White Rose of Finland with golden cross
• First Class Medal of the White Rose of Finland
• 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.