President’s chain

The Order of the White Rose of Finland was established on 28 January 1919. At the same time, the Cross of Liberty, founded in March 1918, was discontinued as it had been founded to reward people in wartime. According to a regulation approved by Regent of Finland Mannerheim on 16 May 1919, “The Order of the White Rose of Finland is awarded to citizens who have laudably served their homeland. Foreigners can also be rewarded with this Order.” The Order consists of five classes and three medals.

The Grand Cross of the White Rose of Finland with Collar is Finland’s highest decoration and is only awarded to the President of the Republic, who is the Grand Master of the Order. It has also been awarded to some foreign heads of state in connection with state visits. This Grand Cross belonged to President Urho Kaleva Kekkonen. The Grand Cross is always awarded with a breast star.

The decorations of the White Rose were designed by Akseli Gallen-Kallela. The rose theme comes from the heraldic roses of the coat of arms of Finland, and the colours are from the flag of Finland. Akseli Gallen-Kallela’s original Grand Cross included swastika symbols, but they were replaced in 1963 by spruce twig symbols. The spruce twigs were designed by heraldic artist Gustaf von Numers. President Kekkonen was the first to carry the new collar on Independence Day 1963.