Order of the Cross of Liberty

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The Cross of Liberty is often used in the memorials of the fallen. Here the memorial on Kittilä military burial ground.

There are three official orders in Finland: the Order of the Cross of Liberty (Vapaudenristin ritarikunta), 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 Cross of Liberty was founded on March 4, 1918, upon the initiative of General C.G. Mannerheim. The renowned Finnish artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela was commissioned to design the Order's insignia. Once Mannerheim had approved the drawings, the first decorations were ordered, on April 15, 1918.

At first there were seven classes: grand cross, cross of liberty (1st to 4th class) and the medal of liberty (1st and 2nd class). The decorations of the Order of the Cross of Liberty were initially conferred only in time of war. But to safeguard the operations of the Order after the war, a decree was issued on August 18, 1944 enabling the decorations to be awarded also in peace time.

The Cross of Liberty has a red ribbon when it is granted in war time and a yellow ribbon when it is awarded in time of peace.

[edit] Classes

The classes of the Order of the Cross of Liberty are:

1. Grand Cross of the Order of the Cross of Liberty
2. Cross of Liberty, 1st Class with star, of the Order of the Cross of Liberty
3. Cross of Liberty, 1st Class, of the Order of the Cross of Liberty
4. Cross of Liberty, 2nd Class, of the Order of the Cross of Liberty
5. Cross of Liberty, 3rd Class, of the Order of the Cross of Liberty
6. Cross of Liberty, 4th Class, of the Order of the Cross of Liberty
7. Medal of Liberty, 1st Class, of the Order of the Cross of Liberty
8. Medal of Merit, 1st Class, of the Order of the Cross of Liberty
9. Medal of Merit, 2nd Class, of the Order of the Cross of Liberty

Associated with the Order is the Mannerheim Cross, which is discussed in a separate article.

Other special decorations awared during WWII include:

• Medal of Liberty 1st Class on Rosette Ribbon (only awared once)
• Gold Medal of Merit (only awared once)
• Cross of Mourning (Given to the closest relative of a soldier killed in action)
• Medal of Mourning (Given to the closest relative of a person killed in non-military duty of war industry or national defence.)

[edit] External links

• The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland (Decorations)
• Finnish military decorations