Finnish heraldry

Finnish heraldry

Finnish heraldry has common past with Swedish heraldry until 1809 and it belongs to German heraldic tradition.

Official Heraldry

Arms of the historical provinces of Finland originate from the Early Vasa era. Arms of the Grand Duchy of Finland was created 1581.

During the 1950s and 1960s heraldry in Finland had an upswing that is quite unique in history of heraldry. In short time coats of arms were designed to all municipalities of Finland. Arms were designed with high standards. Notable designers were Gustaf von Numers, Ahti Hammar and Olof Eriksson. A Danish heraldist Sven Tito Achen has esteemed them best of the world.

Samples

Private Heraldry

The oldest known coat of arms in Finland is in the seal of Bertold, "vouti" of Häme Castle (1297).

Coats of arms of the nobility are recorded by Finnish House of Nobility. The last ennoblement was 1912. Coronets of rank are the same as in Swedish heraldry.

After renaissance of municipal heraldry the interest expanded also to adopting burgher arms. Burgher arms were used in Finland in 17th and 18th centuries by wealthy merchants, priests, officers and magistrates, but in many cases by one generation only and they became rare after royal statute against “use of ‘noble shield and open helmet’ by burghers, 1762”. In fact, non-noble family heraldry now began from almost nothing. Heraldic Society of Finland began unofficially to keep register on burgher arms, which were published in 2006 as an armorial, containing 1356 arms. Swedish edict against “use of ‘noble shield and open helmet’ by burghers" is still respected and Heraldic Society of Finland does take in its register burgher arms only with tilting helmet.Each President of Finland needs a coat of arms as a member of Order of the Seraphim in Sweden and for Order of the Elephant in Denmark. Presidents' new coats of arms get nowadays in Finland lots of publicity.

Characteristics

Finnish heraldry is generally quite high quality, which can be seen from The Ten Commandments for a Designer of Finnish Heraldry. Finnish heraldry has introduced some new lines of partition, such as "Fir twig partition" (havukoro) and "Fir tree top partition" (kuusikoro). Finnish heraldry has also had some influence on South African heraldry.

Some Basic Vocabulary

*heraldry = heraldiikka
*coat of arms = vaakuna
*coat of arms of a noble family = aatelisvaakuna
*burgher arms = porvarisvaakuna

See also

*Coat of arms of Finland

References

*Sven Tito Achen: The Modern Civic Heraldry of Finland – The World’s Best. Report of The XVIth International Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences in Helsinki 16-21 August 1984, Edited by Tom C. Bergroth. Printed by Gummerus Oy 1986. ISBN 951-99640-4-5
*Bo Tennberg: The Renaissance of Heraldry in Finland. Report of The XVIth International Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences in Helsinki 16-21 August 1984, Edited by Tom C. Bergroth. Printed by Gummerus Oy 1986. ISBN 951-99640-4-5

External links

* [http://www.kunnat.net/k_peruslistasivu.asp?path=1;29;102942;486;84531 Municipal coats of arms of Finland]
* [http://www.heraldica.fi/ Heraldic Society of Finland]
** [http://www.heraldica.fi/Toiminta/Rekisteri/rekisteri.htm Coats of arms in registered by Heraldic Society of Finland] (click "PORVARISVAAKUNAT" on left)


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • The Ten Commandments for a Designer of Finnish Heraldry — These are the guidelines used when heraldry is designed in accord with Finnish custom. Note that no other tinctures than those mentioned are used. The use of heraldic furs is scarce.These “commandments” were drawn up by Jukka Suvisaari and… …   Wikipedia

  • Heraldry — The German Hyghalmen Roll was made in the late fifteenth century and illustrates the German practice of repeating themes from the arms in the crest. (See Roll of arms) Heraldry is the profession, study, or art of creating, granting, and blazoning …   Wikipedia

  • Heraldry of Åland — The coat of arms of Åland features a gold red deer on a blue field. The arms carries a coronet of an count (older Swedish model). Coat of Arms of Åland Blazon: Azure a Deer passant Or Åland, which was a Province of Sweden …   Wikipedia

  • Heraldry of Öland — Öland is a province of Sweden and at the funeral of Gustav Vasa in 1560 the province was granted a coat of arms. Öland The coat of arms originally granted for the island province of Öland in 1560 displayed two red deer on a field with nine silver …   Wikipedia

  • Line (heraldry) — EngrailedA chief enarched indented throughout in the arms of SawbridgeworthBretesséA fess wavy in the arms of Welwyn HatfieldNebulyA chief embattled in the arms of LetchworthIndented The lines of partition used to divide and vary fields and… …   Wikipedia

  • Swedish heraldry — refers to the cultural tradition and style of heraldic achievements in modern and historic Sweden, including national and civic arms, noble and burgher arms, ecclesiastical heraldry, heraldic displays as corporate logos, and Swedish heraldic… …   Wikipedia

  • South African heraldry — has thrived for more than 350 years, inheriting European (especially Dutch and British) heraldic traditions. Arms are borne by individuals, official bodies, local authorities, military units, and by a wide variety of organisations. South Africa… …   Wikipedia

  • Coat of arms of the Karelo-Finnish Soviet Socialist Republic — Details Armiger …   Wikipedia

  • Coat of arms of Finland — Details Adopted First documented in the 1580s. Current version official since 1978. Esc …   Wikipedia

  • Coat of arms — redirects here. For the album by Sabaton, see Coat of Arms (album). Shield Field Supporter Supporter …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”