Bears feature prominently in Finnish mythology, including the national folklore epic Kalevala. Ancient Finno-Ugric peoples held bears as feared and honoured totemic animals, an… See more

The whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) is a graceful, northern, pure white, wild swan that features in Finnish folklore and culture, from the Kalevala folk epic to the works of composer J… See more

The lily-of-the valley (Convallaria majalis) was chosen as Finland’s national flower because its attractive and sweetly-scented flowers are very familiar to most Finns. These delic… See more

The silver birch (Betula pendula), with its striking white bark, lush green leaves and gracefully drooping branches, is perhaps the most beautiful native tree in Finland’s forests, so i… See more