There are three official orders in Finland: the Order of the Cross of Liberty, the Order of the White Rose of Finland 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.

The Order of the Lion of Finland was founded on September 11, 1942. It was introduced in an effort to preserve the prestige of the Order of the White Rose of Finland, which could have been diminished if granted too frequently, and to facilitate the awarding of honours for various types of merit. The Lion of Finland is awarded for civilian and military merit. The ribbon for all classes of insignia is dark red.

The classes of the Order of the Lion of Finland are:

1. Commander Grand Cross of the Order of the Lion of Finland
2. Commander, First Class, of the Order of the Lion of Finland
3. Commander of the Order of the Lion of Finland
4. Pro Finlandia Medal of the Order of the Lion of Finland
5. Knight, First Class, of the Order of the Lion of Finland
6. Knight of the Order of the Lion of Finland
7. Cross of Merit of the Order of the Lion of Finland

The President of Finland wears the Star of the Order of the Lion of Finland.

External link

• The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland (Decorations)