Editing Flag of Finland (section)

===Usage===
[[File:Suruliputus presidentti Martti Ahtisaaren poismenon johdosta Valtioneuvoston linnassa 16.10.2023 - 53262331518.jpg|thumb|The headquarters of the [[Cabinet of Finland|Finnish Government]] on [[Senate Square, Helsinki|Senate Square]], Helsinki, seen flying the State flag.]]
The Finnish flag is used in three main variants. The usual national flag is used by all citizens, organisations and Finnish [[municipalities of Finland|municipalities]] and [[regions of Finland|regions]]. Anyone is allowed to fly the national flag whenever it is deemed to be suitable.<ref>[https://www.finlex.fi/fi/lainsaadanto/1978/380 ''Laki Suomen lipusta'' (380/1978)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105052900/http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/1978/19780380 |date=5 November 2015 }}. 4 §. Retrieved 3 October 2007. {{in lang|fi}}</ref> The rectangular state flag is used by<ref>[https://www.finlex.fi/fi/lainsaadanto/1978/380 ''Laki Suomen lipusta'' (380/1978)] . 5 §. Retrieved 3 October 2007. {{in lang|fi}}</ref> bodies of the Finnish national and provincial governments, by the [[cathedral chapters]] of the two national churches ([[Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland|Evangelical Lutheran]] and [[Orthodox Church of Finland|Orthodox]]) and non-naval vessels of the state.

The swallow-tailed national flag, which is also the naval ensign, is flown by the [[Finnish Defence Forces]]. The presidential standard and the command signs of the [[Minister of Defence (Finland)|minister of defence]], [[Chief of Defence (Finland)|chief of defence]], and commander of the [[Finnish Navy]] are flown only by the respective persons.

All public bodies as well as most private citizens and corporations fly the flag on official [[flag flying days in Finland|flag flying days]]. In addition to the official flag flying days, there are about ten unofficial but generally observed flag flying days. Besides flag flying days, normally, no flags or corporate flags are flown. Flag Day is celebrated on Midsummer's Day.

The Finnish flag is raised at 8&nbsp;am and lowered at sunset, however not later than 9&nbsp;pm. On [[Independence Day (Finland)|Independence Day]], the flag is flown until 8&nbsp;pm, regardless of the dark. On the occasion of great national tragedies, the [[Ministry of the Interior (Finland)|Ministry of The Interior]] may recommend flying the flag at [[half mast|half-mast]] throughout the country.

As a special custom in Finland, the flag is flown at [[Midsummer]] from 6&nbsp;pm of Midsummer eve until 9&nbsp;pm of Midsummer's day. This is done to symbolize the fact that the darkness does not come to any part of Finland during Midsummer's Night. Midsummer is also celebrated as the day of the Finnish flag.<ref>[https://www.finlex.fi/fi/lainsaadanto/1978/383 Asetus Suomen lipusta (383/1978)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031065319/http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/1978/19780383 |date=31 October 2020 }}. 3–4 §. Retrieved 3 October 2007. {{in lang|fi}}</ref>