Many Finns place two candles in their windows on Finland’s Independence Day.
The custom is especially associated with 6 December, Finland’s national day. People commonly display two blue-and-white candles, reflecting the colors of the Finnish flag. They may be placed in windows at home, in offices or in public buildings, creating a distinctive evening tradition during the country’s dark winter season.
The symbolism of two candles is often linked to historical support for Finnish national identity and, in some accounts, to hospitality for travelers or fugitives. Historians note that the precise origin of the custom is not entirely settled, and several explanations have circulated over time.
Finland declared independence from Russia on 6 December 1917, after the Russian Revolution weakened imperial authority. Independence Day also includes a presidential reception at the Presidential Palace, commonly known as the Independence Day Reception.