history, nationalism, identity

FINNISH USES OF THE SWASTIKA
A Web Essay by Ainur Elmgren, April 2003 (home) - updates November 2004

MILITARY ART PRESIDENTIAL LOGOTYPES

IT BEGAN WITH THIS -

A blue swastika. In a white circle.

I saw it in 1995 in a glossy aircraft book in high school (Väinö Linna's, in Urjala, Finland) and was astonished. I had just arrived in Finland from my former home country, Germany, where swastikas were shunned like the plague. Where did this distinctly Finnish-coloured Hakenkreuz come from? Some classmates told me that the blue swastika used to be the symbol of the Finnish Air Forces (before 1944). They were also careful to point out that it was already in use in the early 1920's and definitely not Nazi-inspired. I remained suspicious. After all, German militarism was not that impopular in more conservative circles in Finland, ever since the White side in the Civil War 1918 received help from Imperial Germany.

It turns out that, as usual --- the Swedes are to blame. But the history of the Finnish swastika is much more interesting that that, as it touches upon the very core of the Finnish national self-understanding - hanging precariously between West and East, and not really belonging to either side.

MILITARY USE OF THE SWASTIKA

The Swedish count Eric von Rosen donated an aircraft to the fresh Finnish Air Forces (i.e., the White side) in 1917. The wings were decorated with von Rosen's personal favourite emblem, the swastika. von Rosen had travelled in Asia and was probably inspired by the Buddhist imagery he had encountered.

The blue swastika became adopted as a dynamic symbol for the new Finnish Air Forces after the Civil War. This was not that unusual in the new independent republics in Europe. Latvia, too, used the swastika in official imagery, and eventually some German and Austrian right-wing extremists hijacked it for their political purposes. The swastika was common in folk art in many cultures, and in times when every nation strove to display their national identity in world fairs and sports competitions (as well as in war), this folkloristic symbol was free for exploitation. Besides, it was also a symbol for energy, and denoted electric power stations in Swedish maps well into the 1950's. In Asia, of course, the swastika is still in frequent use as a Buddhist or Hindu symbol. In the Asian worldview, Hitler is just one of many mortal tyrants in world history; his brief career in mass murdering cannot tarnish the ancient symbol of teachings of peace and compassion. But I digress...

Not only aircrafts, but also the Finnish tanks were "adorned" with this insignia. The small Finnish army could not afford to waste Soviet tanks that had fallen into their hands, and they were re-decorated with swastikas and thus easily recognisable as "friendly".

After the armistice in 1944, it became politically incorrect to display the swastika in European countries - or that is what you would think. Finland is different.

Due to the armistice agreements with the USSR, certain nationalist organisations such as Lotta Svärd (the women's auxiliary defence forces organisation) were prohibited. But the Lottas still display their badge proudly. In the daily paper's obituaries you can now and then see the Lotta cross. The swastika in the order of the Mannerheim Cross is not particularly hidden under the tiny white heraldic rose. And plenty of modern-day companies, private and public, have incorporated the swastika shape in their logotypes.

Quite a few Finnish militaria websites feature disclaimers that explain the origin of the swastika to foreign visitors. Here are a few examples.
Disclaimer from the site Suomen itsenäisyyden ajan sodat kuvina - Pictures from Wars during Finland's independence - private page
Disclaimer from the site of the Finnish Air Force Museum in Tikkakoski
Regulations of the Finnish swastika insignia from Kari Stenman Publishing; a company specialised in literature about aviation
"Tunteita nostattava hakaristi" - artikkeli Puolustusvoimien Ruotuväki-lehdestä (an article about the swastika from the magazine of the Finnish Defence Forces)

THE SWASTIKA IN ART & DESIGN

The swastika is an ancient Finnish symbol and therefore liberally used in arts and crafts of the period of nationalism - 19th century to the early 20th century. Because the idea of Finland as an independent nation was so new, the need for powerful symbols that reinforced this idea was even greater. The swastika was dynamic, exotic and folkloristic - perfect for art with a message in the late 19th century. Artists who wanted to evoke a "national consciousness" incorporated the symbol in their paintings. It became a suitable basis for patterns and designs in the spirit of national romanticism and art nouveau - and continued to blend in with art deco and modernism. To the left, an illustration by Alb. Gebhard, from the cover of Nuori Suomi 1901. It seems to have a political message as it depicts Suomineito - the Maid of Finland, symbol of the young Finnish nation - spreading a fire.

Traditional decorative patterns in Carelian handiwork sometimes include the swastika, aka "vääräpää" ("crooked head"). The folklorist Theodor Schvindt collected and published such patterns in Ompelu- ja nauhakoristeita (1st edition 1893, 2nd edition SKS 1982, Helsinki).

Click for enlargement.

ALL THE PRESIDENT'S SWASTIKAS

The flag of the President of Finland has a little "cross of freedom" in the upper left corner. Click on the cross to view the whole flag and a description. A CALL TO BOYCOTT THE PRESIDENTIAL FLAG. The President wears the Grand Cross of the Order of the White Rose of Finland on a neck chain. The President is the Grand Master of all official orders in Finland. The Order of the White Rose is special since its chain (designed by Akseli Gallen-Kallela) was altered in 1963. Below, the old chain, as worn by Mannerheim. THE MODERN VERSION * THE PRESIDENT'S PAGE * THE OLD VERSION (THE MANNERHEIM SITE)

The modern design replaced the swastikas on the chain with cross-shaped conifer twigs. However, look carefully at the order itself. The Finnish lions (from the state coat-of-arms) are all facing in the same direction, going round the cross counter-clockwise, much like a swastika. Thus the dynamic movement is retained..

SWASTIKA-LIKE PATTERNS IN MODERN FINNISH LOGOTYPES

To the left, the logotype of the controversial society "Suomalaisuuden Liitto", which translates to "Finnish Alliance" or "The Association of Finnish Culture and Identity" - the society gives several translations on their website. This organisation was founded in 1906 by some noteworthy Finnish-nationalist cultural personalities with the goal of promoting Finnish-language culture and identity. Today, its duties mainly include watching over the customs and laws regulating the use of the national flag (for which they receive some state support) and opposing the compulsory teaching of Swedish in schools. Their credibility is undermined by the surprisingly virulent rants against Sweden in general by an anonymous author that can be read in English on their website. It includes many quotable lines such as: "The Swedish Vikings were the terrorists of their time, who killed thousands of innocent people." All the fashionable signs of evil are included, from anthrax spores ("confiscated from a Swedish spy in mid-winter 1917") to genocide ("Swedish professor I. Nesselius suggested in 1708-1711 a genocide of the Finns"). A classic case of using history to fit the specific needs of one interest group.

Dear readers, if you have continued this far I know I've touched you in a special little way with this informal essay. Please mail me your stories and suggestions where to find more swastikas. Everything is welcome, from the pavement pattern outside Stockmann in Helsinki to details in Akseli Gallen-Kallela's Kalevala illustrations.

complaints to: ainur dot elmgren at gmail dot com ===> BACK