Finnish heraldry

Notable heraldists (heraldric designers) included Gustaf von Numers, Ahti Hammar, and Olof Eriksson; the Danish heraldist Sven Tito Achen esteemed them the best in the world at the time.

The oldest known coat of arms in Finland is in the seal of Bertold, vouti (sheriff) of Häme Castle (1297).

In fact, non-noble family heraldry does not have roots in Finland, but in Finnish nonheraldic housemarks and in the tradition of burgher arms in Continental Europe.

Even though some of these symbols are fine examples of Finnish heraldry, in spite of clear ambition, many designs lack in heraldic merit.

Finnish heraldry is a very vivid interest amongst the practitioners of historical re-enactment, LARP and living history.

Finnish coat of arms, dating to around mid-16th century.
Finnish coat of arms, dating to around mid-16th century.
Table-top pennants of Finnish family associations
Arms of Outokumpu. The arms refer to copper mining in the town, and the fir forests of the area. The position of the fir twig partition to chief alludes the alchemical symbol of copper is "under earth", mined.