Finland has three national orders of merit, the Order of the Cross of Liberty (1918), the Order of the White Rose of Finland (1919) and the Order of the Lion of Finland (1942). The orders and their decorations form the core of Finland’s honours system.

The Order of the Cross of Liberty was established on 4 March 1918 and the current statutes were adopted by a decree on 18 August 1944. The decorations of the Order of the Cross of Liberty are conferred upon citizens for military merits, activities in support of the Finnish Defence Forces and national defence, voluntary work in national defence and for the war veterans, merits in international crisis management, and activities strengthening the external security of our country.

The Order of the White Rose of Finland was established on 28 January 1919 and its statutes were adopted on 16 May 1919. Its decorations are awarded to citizens who have distinguished themselves in the service of the Fatherland.

The Order of the Lion of Finland is the youngest of our Orders, it was founded by a decree on 11 September 1942. Its decorations are conferred as a recognition of considerable civil and military merits.

The decorations of all the three Orders can also be conferred upon foreign nationals. The decorations of the Orders with swords are conferred only for military merits.

As well as being the Grand Master of the Order of the Cross of Liberty, the President of the Republic is also the Grand Master of the Orders of the White Rose of Finland and the Lion of Finland and has an exclusive right to confer the decorations. The Orders of the White Rose of Finland and the Lion of Finland have a joint Chapter consisting of the Grand Master, a Chancellor, a Vice Chancellor and at least four members. Clerical personnel includes a Treasurer and two Secretaries. The Chancery of the Orders of the White Rose of Finland/Lion of Finland operates in Helsinki.