Order of the White Rose of Finland

The Order of the White Rose of Finland (Suomen Valkoisen Ruusun ritarikunta; Finlands Vita Ros’ orden) is one of three official orders in Finland, along with the Order of the Cross of Liberty, and the Order of the Lion of Finland. The President of Finland is the Grand Master of all three orders. The orders are administered by boards consisting of a chancellor, a vice-chancellor and at least four members. The orders of the White Rose of Finland and the Lion of Finland have a joint board.

History
The Order of the White Rose of Finland was established by Gustaf Mannerheim in his capacity as regent (temporary head of state) on January 28, 1919. The name comes from the nine roses argent in the coat of arms of Finland. The order's rules and regulations were confirmed on May 16, 1919, and its present rules date from June 1, 1940. The revised scale of ranks was confirmed most recently in 1985. The original decorations were designed by Akseli Gallen-Kallela. The swastikas of the collar were replaced by fir crosses in 1963, designed by heraldic artist Gustaf von Numers. The honour can be granted for military as well as civilian merit.

Insignia
The ribbon for all classes is ultramarine, as it is found in the flag of Finland, although officially the statutes do not define the color of the ribbon beyond it being "dark blue". The motto of the order appears on the medallion and is.

The President of Finland wears the Grand Cross of the White Rose of Finland with Collar (a 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.

Classes
The classes of the order of the White Rose of Finland are:


 * FIN Order of the White Rose Grand Cross BAR.svg Grand Cross of the White Rose of Finland with Collar
 * FIN Order of the White Rose Grand Cross BAR.svg Grand Cross of the White Rose of Finland
 * FIN Order of the White Rose Commander 1st Class BAR.svg First Class Commander of the White Rose of Finland
 * FIN Order of the White Rose Commander BAR.svg Commander of the White Rose of Finland
 * FIN Order of the White Rose Knight 1st Class BAR.svg First Class Knight of the White Rose of Finland
 * FIN Order of the White Rose Ribbon BAR.svg Knight (Chevalier) of the White Rose of Finland
 * FIN Cross of Merit of the Order of the White Rose BAR.png Cross of Merit of the White Rose of Finland
 * FIN Medal 1st Class of the Order of the White Rose BAR.png First Class Medal of the White Rose of Finland with golden cross
 * FIN Medal 2nd Class of the Order of the White Rose BAR.png First Class Medal of the White Rose of Finland
 * FIN Medal 3rd Class of the Order of the White Rose BAR.png Medal of the White Rose of Finland

Recipients
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). In the case of royals, consorts may be awarded with it. Heirs apparent of Nordic monarchies have also been awarded. The Grand Master may however in principle award it at his pleasure. During World War II Hermann Göring and Joachim von Ribbentrop were exceptionally given the Grand Cross with Collar because Adolf Hitler would not receive orders.

Prime Ministers of Finland customarily receive the Grand Cross. (Certain leftist politicians refused the cross or did not wear it, and the transient term in office of Anneli Jäätteenmäki did not lead to the President awarding the cross.) The Grand Cross is also given to presidents of the Supreme Court and the Supreme Administrative Court, the Archbishop of Turku and Finland, and the Chancellor of the order.

Special honors

 * Grand Cross with Collar, Jewels and Swords was awarded only once, to Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim 4 June 1944.
 * Grand Cross with Jewels, to three Finns: Senator Otto Stenroth 1938, Foreign Minister Carl Enckell 1946 and Jean Sibelius 1950.
 * Grand Cross with Swords has been awarded to three Finnish Lieutenant Generals: Hjalmar Siilasvuo, Edvard Hanell and Aksel Airo. The decoration has also been awarded to a number of foreign high officers, such as the German Colonel General Eduard Dietl.