So many have wished for an article and information about Finnish sauna culture. Finnish sauna culture is old and includes many different traditions. In this article, I will to tell about the Finnish sauna culture, at least its main points.
I hope you keep in mind that this article is written from my own experience and observations I have made. Of course, I have used sauna-related books, of which I have a large stack as a source of information.
There can be many regional differences within Finland, and I will not focus on them now. I will tell you in general about the national Finnish sauna culture today.
Finnish sauna culture
I have often heard that the sauna was invented or developed in Finland. However, there is no proof that this is the case. However, Finland is one of the countries where the sauna and sauna culture have been preserved for centuries or millennia. For example, in many European countries, the sauna culture disappeared entirely during the 19th-century religious reformation.
The good news is that sauna and sauna cultures are rising worldwide. Many people are specifically interested in the Finnish sauna and sauna culture.
Initially, the Finnish sauna was just an earth pit with a pile of stones to be heated; this was called an earth sauna or an earth pit sauna. Naturally, the sauna has improved over the years.
In the next phase, the sauna was built from round logs and was usually placed apart from the residential building and next to a river, sea, lake or well.
According to the old Finnish tradition, the sauna should be built before the main building. Even a large family could live in a small cabin for long periods.
This custom is followed in many families even today.
Old sauna customs
Grain sheaves, malts and sometimes even tobacco was dried in the sauna. The meat was also dried in the sauna. The sauna has also been used as a place of slaughter because the hot water was nearby when butchering a pig.
Born in a sauna
Most births in Finland took place in the sauna until the 1940s. The sauna had everything you needed, such as warm water, and the sauna was often the only clean and warm place.
A sleeping area might have been built in the sauna with a bed for the woman giving birth. There she could be massaged and cared for. The birth attendant and assistant could stay there for days, even weeks.
In the old days, a newborn was washed in a sauna and could have his first baths immediately after birth.
Today, a Finnish child takes a sauna for the first time at four months. In our family, it has been a custom to take the baby to the sauna as early as two weeks old.
In the old days, sick people were treated in the sauna; some still do so. Diseases, pains and illnesses were and are cured in the sauna. This can be done through various sauna treatments and sauna “magic”, as well as cupping.
Who takes a sauna
In Finland, all family members take saunas. I have even heard of cats and dogs taking saunas. Horses are also treated in the heat of the sauna.
Everyone from babies to the elderly can be in the sauna. There is no upper or lower age limit.
Generally speaking, Finns sauna naked, at least among family members. We only go together if everyone is “our people” from the same family.
Friends and groups of friends/couples often go to the sauna wearing swimwear. Of course, there are exceptions to this among different groups. Groups of friends often agree on how to proceed: for example, whether the men will sauna first and then the women, or whether the mixed sauna will be textile-free or if everyone wearing swimwear, etc.
Often, public saunas have saunas for men and women separately. Then we go naked in the sauna. In mixed public saunas, swimwear is often worn.
I would also like to remind you that there are exceptions, and you should learn about the sauna customs of the specific sauna before going in. However, Finns usually are not interested in what you wear to the sauna. Regular clothes and shoes are a no-go; you should not put them in the sauna. Otherwise, Finns are liberal.
Can you talk in the sauna?
Generally speaking, Finns start to loosen their tongues, specifically in the sauna. We Finns are a “quiet” people (although not necessarily all of us).
In the sauna, we discuss things that we do not necessarily discuss with anyone else, not even our spouse. We talk about difficult things that are not generally talked about. That is why we Finns need to be able to “open up” in the sauna.
Of course, there are separate silent saunas where you try to calm down in silence. It is also sometimes good to be alone with your thoughts.
Where can you find saunas?
In Finland, saunas are everywhere, in private apartments, hotels, spas, camping grounds, workplaces, and underground, on the shores of lakes, seas, and rivers. There are saunas even built into cars, aeroplanes, gondolas, garbage pallets, barrels, combine harvesters and telephone booths.
According to one calculation, Finland has more than 3 million saunas. Some families may even have two or three saunas. So, there is something for everyone.
A Finnish sauna
I am often asked what the temperature is in a Finnish sauna.
I would say that the temperature of electric and wood saunas is generally 70-80 degrees. The temperature of the smoke sauna can sometimes be more than 100 degrees. The temperature of the electric sauna can be lowered by around 70 degrees. The maximum temperature of a wood sauna, i.e. a wood-heated sauna, is 80 degrees.
I can’t give an exact temperature in degrees because each sauna is individual. How the sauna is built, what kind of sauna, what is the humidity percentage, what is the air conditioning is your state of being all affect the matter. Every day is different, as are people.
In the Finnish sauna, you create your own steam.
Every Finnish sauna has a sauna bucket with water. You can throw water on the hot stones of the stove yourself and create steam according to your taste. However, be careful how you do it. Just don’t splash water on rocks.
Put a bucket with water very close to the stones of the stove, take a ladle of water and slowly pour water into one place. You will notice how the steam is wonderfully gentle and does not “attack” the face.
As a general rule, in Finland, you can always create steam yourself.
Why do Finns take saunas?
In the old days, Finns always took a sauna at the end of the work week. Saturday was a working day, so Saturday became a sauna day. Originally, Finns used saunas to wash. The only cleaning during the week was on Saturdays and once a week.
Of course, at the same time, we relaxed and enjoyed the atmosphere. However, they may not have realized the importance of a sauna in terms of relaxation back then.
Many Finns take a sauna daily, for example, after a working day or training. First, work and then the fun is a Finnish saying, and it is still true today.
How are you in the sauna?
You usually sit in a Finnish sauna; there are exceptions. Some people lie on the sauna benches and put their feet against the wall. In the old days, there were special places on top of the upper platforms where you could put your feet on.
Finns sit on seat protectors that often barely cover the rear. Often sauna towels are also used, placed lengthwise on the benches. Sauna towels protect benches from moisture and dirt. The best material for sauna textiles is linen.
Some Finns also use seat covers made of plywood; these are especially used in smoke saunas. Those made of fabric are difficult to clean from soot.
Cooling off
Usually, you go from the sauna to the cold water, open air, snow or shower to cool off. You can also cool off on the terrace, veranda, yard or balcony.
This is not mandatory, and not many Finns go to cool off in cold water. You can do as you want and what feels good to you.
After sauna
After the sauna, Finns usually eat and drink. Many prepare “sauna sausage” on stones in the sauna heater. Many people think that sausage tastes best after a sauna.
The fact is, however, that sausage is not the best option in terms of nutritional value. It would be best to eat something light, for example, salad or chicken.
However, everyone does as they see fit, and there is no ultimate right and wrong way.
I hope you found this Finnish sauna culture article useful and that you got a lot of new information about the Finnish sauna.
