Symbols of Ostrobothnia

The Ostrobothnia coat of arms:

Colours: red Pantone PMS 199 and gold

In a red field the symbol of the royal Vasa family of Sweden (a fascine) and a chief, both gold; in the chief four red running ermines placed 2 by 2. (Sept. 28, 1997: Juhani Vepsäläinen) The fascine is the symbol of the royal Vasa family of Sweden. The ermines are traditional heraldic symbols of Ostrobothnia signifying the historical importance of the hunting of fur animals. The four ermines also symbolise the four sub-regions of Ostrobothnia. The colours, red and gold, were originally the Finnish national colours. They are still used as symbolic colours by the Swedish-speaking population in Finland.