Some Territorial Heraldry of Finland

Nordic heraldry (Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden)
Marcus Karlsson
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Some Territorial Heraldry of Finland

Postby Marcus Karlsson » 08 Sep 2012, 18:34

As mentioned in the Thread on Swedish Heraldry the Landskap (Fi. Maisema) of Finland also had Arms created during the Swedish time (up until 1809). Pictures form Wikimedia Commons:

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Häme (Sw.Tavastland).

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Karjala (Sw. Karelen). The Arms symbolises the long struggle between Sweden and Russia over this Area. During Finland's time as a Grand Duchy under th Russian Czar the Arms whre slightly modified the Western Sword and Eastern Sabre was replaced by Arrrows and both Arms where clad in Chain-mail. Thus making the reference to the struggle against Russia standing out less.

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steven harris
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Re: Some Territorial Heraldry of Finland

Postby steven harris » 01 Oct 2012, 14:57

I like the arms of Tavastia - but I'm very partial to lynx :D
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Chris Green
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Re: Some Territorial Heraldry of Finland

Postby Chris Green » 01 Oct 2012, 18:16

... but I'm very partial to lynx


Roasted or fried? I jest. I should never want to see a lynx killed. Saw one once on a wintry night in Sweden. I was in the lounge of my (future) mother-in-law's house and a lynx stopped outside the window and looked at me. Unforgettable moment (for me at least, don't suppose the lynx was very impressed!).
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steven harris
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Re: Some Territorial Heraldry of Finland

Postby steven harris » 02 Oct 2012, 14:36

Chris Green wrote:Roasted or fried? I jest. I should never want to see a lynx killed. Saw one once on a wintry night in Sweden. I was in the lounge of my (future) mother-in-law's house and a lynx stopped outside the window and looked at me. Unforgettable moment (for me at least, don't suppose the lynx was very impressed!).

Wonderful! I use a lynx as my crest (her name in Chama) :D

Although, in Sweden you likly saw a Eurasian lynx (L.lynx), whereas Chama is a Bobcat (L.rufus).
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Marcus Karlsson
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Re: Some Territorial Heraldry of Finland

Postby Marcus Karlsson » 07 Oct 2012, 17:47

Image
Pohjanmaa (Sw. Österbotten, Eng Ostrobothnia). The oldest arms of Ostrobothnia from 1562 only showed one Marten trippant reguardant. Probably symbolising the Fur trade of the Area.

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Savo (Sw.Savolax, Eng. Savonia). The oldest depiction from 1562 of the Savonia Arms showed the bow on a field Azure. The Bow probaly symbolises the fights against Russians in these frontier Area.

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Re: Some Territorial Heraldry of Finland

Postby Marcus Karlsson » 17 Oct 2012, 20:07

Image
Arms of Åland. See also Öland in the Swedish Territorial Arms Thread.

Image
Arms of Lappi (Sw. Lappland), The Savage probably symbolises the wilderness of this northern Area.

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Arms of Satakunta (Sw. Satakunda).

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Re: Some Territorial Heraldry of Finland

Postby Marcus Karlsson » 24 Oct 2012, 17:22

The final two Finnish Provincial Arms:

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Arms of Uusimaa (Sw. Nyland).

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Arms of Varsinais-Suomi (Sw. Egentliga Finland), this part of Finland is said to be the first one where Swedish colonists first settled.

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Re: Some Territorial Heraldry of Finland

Postby Marcus Karlsson » 17 Apr 2014, 10:52

These historical Provinces have in recent times been divided into smaller regions, some continue to use the old Provicial Arms where appropriate other have gotten new Arms.

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Central Finland (Fi Keski Suomi Sw Mellersta Finland).

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Central Ostrobothnia (Fi. Keski Pohjanmaa Sw Mellersta Österbotten).

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Re: Some Territorial Heraldry of Finland

Postby Marcus Karlsson » 17 Apr 2014, 10:59

Image
Costal Ostrobothnia (Fi Rannikko Pojhanmaa Sw. Kust Österbotten).

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South Ostrobothnia (Fi Etelä Pohjanmaa Sw Södra Österbotten).

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North Ostrobothnia (Fi Pohjois Pohjanmaa, Sw Norra Österbotten). Uses the Historical Ostrobothnia Arms.

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Chris Green
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Re: Some Territorial Heraldry of Finland

Postby Chris Green » 17 Apr 2014, 11:24

Arms of Lappi (Sw. Lappland), The Savage probably symbolises the wilderness of this northern Area.

It would be interesting to know why the heraldic artist chose to depict what we would blazon in English as a savage man wreathed about the loins and temple. Perhaps the Finnish blazon requires it. But I would have thought that a man clad in furs would have been more suitable (Autumn comes early in Lappland!).

Arms of Varsinais-Suomi (Sw. Egentliga Finland), this part of Finland is said to be the first one where Swedish colonists first settled.

Note the Swedish pennons on the jousting spears.
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