The reach of the sauna has taken root all over the world today. To some, it can be a luxury, high-end spa experience, while to others, it’s a humble experience while relaxing in a cabin in the woods. Some cities even offer mobile saunas hitched to trucks, or floating saunas on boats in lakes and rivers.
For Finnish people, however, the sauna is a symbol of national identity, a sanctuary, and a spiritual haven. Understanding the significance of Finnish sauna culture brings insight into the mindset of the happiest country in the world (for the 9th year in a row).
The Ancient Origin of the Finnish Sauna
The word “sauna” is perhaps the most well-known Finnish word worldwide. Very few other native Finnish words gained recognition in other countries. The sauna dates back over 2000 years and looked wildly different from the luxury versions you can experience today.
Ancient Finnish saunas were earth pits, dug into a slope, and covered with animal skins. Finns would heat rocks over fire pits until the flames extinguished, allowing the smoke to clear before covering the sauna. They heated the space by throwing water onto the hot rocks, which created steam. The steam, or löyly, is the spirit of the sauna, representing rejuvenation and cleansing vitality.
These earthen pits persisted until the Bronze Age, when technological advances led to the evolution of the sauna. During this period, smoke saunas, called savusaunas, gained popularity. These primative versions had no chimneys, so smoke from the fire stayed within the space. Soot lined the walls, creating a smoky, rich aroma which traditional sauna enthusiasts still consider unrivaled.
The Cultural Significance of Sauna in Finland
Throughout their folklore and history, the sauna has played a significant role in everyday Finnish life. It has become the center of the life cycle. Before modern hospitals, many women used saunas as birthing chambers. Finns also used these spaces to wash the dead before burials. And yes! Finns have a long tradition of washing the bodies of the deceased before burial ceremonies.
In Finnish folklore, tonttus are small spirits that inhabit different areas. They are akin to elves or gnomes in different cultures. The sauna has its own guardian, the saunatonttu. These sauna spirits ensure cleanliness, respect, and enhance the spiritual experience one feels while enjoying the löyly of the sauna.
But be sure you abide by the etiquette of the sauna, or these tonttus might punish you, ruining the experience or bringing misfortune! Ultimately, the Finnish sauna culture provides a neutral space where people come together as equals and enjoy quiet harmony. Silence, after all, is a virtue for Finns!
Traditional Sauna Etiquette: How to Bathe Like a Finn
While you can find saunas across the world, etiquette is imperative to ensuring a peaceful experience for everyone. Finnish sauna etiquette emphasizes cleanliness, harmony, respect, and health.
- Respect the dress code. Finns prefer to enjoy the sauna in the nude. They are not shy to get naked around strangers in this setting. While this may be strange to some, feel free to wear a towel to cover up.
- Shower first. Cleanliness is imperative in the sauna. Shower before entering the space, but feel free to sit on a towel as well to maintain hygiene.
- Ovi kiinni (shut the door)! Retaining the löyly is perhaps the most important aspect of the Finnish sauna. Coming in and out is frowned upon as it allows the steam to escape.
- Exfoliate with vihta. Birch twigs, wrapped into a bundle called a vihta, are used to help exfoliate the skin. You may see Finns flogging their backs with these. No, it’s not self-mutilation; this process helps increase circulation and provides a relaxing, natural aroma.
- Experience the Nordic Cycle. After heating up in the sauna, Finns traditionally take a dip in the lake to cool down. During the winter months, they might take an ice plunge or roll in the snow. After the cooling cycle, resting in a room-temperature environment helps your body stabilize. The Nordic Cycle is a process of applying hot and cold therapy to the body.
While sauna etiquette may vary across cultures, it is important to respect the dignity of the particular establishment you visit. In public settings abroad, nudity may be frowned upon, for example. Ensure you abide by the guidelines at your sauna to maintain a pleasant experience for everyone. Respect is paramount for the experience after all.
A Global Treasure: UNESCO’s Cultural Heritage List
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) highlights cultural phenomena globally. While it focuses heavily on Europe, its goal is to protect cultural heritage. In 2020, Finnish Sauna Culture was officially inscribed in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
By recognizing the significance of the sauna as a cultural tradition in Finland, UNESCO’s recognition promotes Finland’s ideology of equality, community, and well-being. While the sauna is a symbol of Finnish identity, it is open to everyone, regardless of religion, social status, or political beliefs.
Modern Sauna Significance: A Sanctuary in a Busy World
Saunas are present all across Finland. With a population of roughly 5.5 million people, there are an estimated 3.3 million saunas in the country. Traditional saunas exist in isolated summer houses, cabins, bathrooms of private homes and apartments, in community centers, corporate offices, and even the Finnish Parliament. Mobile saunas even pop up in large cities like Helsinki, either on trailers, boats, or tents.
Nature is an essential part of the Finnish way of life. As the digital age overtakes the workplace, schools, and daily life, the sauna is a place where Finns can find a moment of relaxation away from the hustle and bustle of the modern world. It has become one of the few places free of smartphones, allowing people to disconnect and enjoy an in-the-moment experience.
My Finnish Sauna Experience
I traveled to Finland in July of 2024, during which I experienced Finnish sauna culture firsthand. With a plethora of saunas across Finland, you have access to one almost anywhere you stay. While many hotels offer a public sauna, some, like the cabins at the Santa Claus Holiday Village, offer personal saunas in the bathroom. Most homes also have saunas built into their bathrooms next to the shower.
Finns also believe everyone has the right to enjoy nature. This concept, called jokamiehenoikeus (everyman’s right), ensures that you can explore most natural spaces. While in Helsinki, I took a midnight swim after a sauna in the Baltic Sea just outside my hotel. If you visit Finland, consider including a traditional sauna experience in your itinerary.
Don’t Forget the Sauna Beer (Saunakalja)!
While drinking heavily is not advisable in the sauna, many Finns enjoy a beer or a long drink there. A cold, refreshing, light beer is a quintessential Finnish experience that enhances relaxation. Enjoy your sunakalja, literally meaning “sauna beer,” either before, during, or after your experience.