The coat of arms of Helsinki first appeared in an early 17th-century seal of the city of Helsinki, the modern-day capital of Finland.

[1] The crown in the coat of arms refers to the historical connection to the Swedish monarchy, while the boat refers to emigration to Helsinki.

[2] The coats of arms of both Helsinki and Uusimaa were designed in 1599 by Johannes Bureus.

[3] The current design of the coat of arms of Helsinki was drawn by the heraldist A. W. Rancken in 1951.

[citation needed] Its blazon states: ”On a field azure, boat or on waves argent; crown or above the boat.”