North Karelia was not part of the Swedish Kingdom until 1617, when Sweden gained the area from Russia following the Treaty of Stolbovo.
This region was given to the Grand Duchy of Finland by the Russian Empire in 1812 as a gesture of goodwill.
The two hands holding a sword and a scimitar are generally seen as symbol of Karelia's position between the Swedish and Russian realms.
The coat of arms of Finland use the sword and scimitar in a similar manner.
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