The unique Finnish bond with forests: A sacred connection

For Finns, forests are not only a resource and a source of livelihood but also a place for well-being and a unique connection with nature. Forests have long been associated with sacredness, respect, and rituals that have shaped daily life for millennia. This profound connection is so significant that forests have been included in Finland's National Inventory of Living Heritage.

“People venture into forests for many reasons: to cut down trees, gather mushrooms, relax, or hike. Forests may also be experienced as sacred, even if this isn’t explicitly expressed—tall pines can symbolize roots in the past or represent the well-being that nature provides. These everyday values have a long history, which we are exploring,” says Dr. Tiina Äikäs, University Researcher in Archaeology and Docent at the University of Oulu.

The heritage of this forest relationship has been little studied, as its associated values have often been taken for granted. Äikäs leads a newly launched research project, Sacred Forests Around Us, which investigates how this relationship has evolved and its role in contemporary forest discussions through archaeology, folklore, and the arts.

The project combines scientific and artistic approaches to provide a foundation for dialogue, particularly as diverse values and ideals often clash in debates about forests.

Researchers are examining how the sense of sacredness and ritual has shaped the Finnish forest relationship over generations. In the past, forests were places where people encountered the supernatural and experienced fear and reverence.

In the forested landscape, rituals and sacred places are reflected in ancient burial sites, sacrificial locations, and folklore.

“Rituals and sacrificial sites associated with forests were, to some extent, part of everyday life even into the early 20th century. These practices were tied to the resources forests provided and their inherent dangers. At the same time, forests offered protection while also posing an unknown threat. In this way, sacredness became intertwined with forest experiences, merging practical needs, beliefs, and communal well-being,” Äikäs explains.

The project aims to trace these practices and locations from prehistoric times onward. “This will help build a comprehensive understanding of how the Finnish relationship with forests has changed over time and what aspects have remained integral to our identity,” Äikäs notes.

The research incorporates data from landscape archaeology, folklore, and the arts. Through interviews, geospatial analysis, oral traditions, archaeological findings, and artistic methods, researchers will map emotions associated with forests, such as respect and sacredness, and explore how people continue to experience forests today.

Interview participants are invited to share their forest experiences directly within the forest, enabling the exploration of the multisensory and emotional dimensions of this relationship.

The findings aim to help Finns recognize the historical roots and continuity of their connection to forests—from the sacred woods of the past to the ecological and well-being values of today. The research encourages reflection on what makes forests sacred and how they can be valued in the future.

The Sacred Forests Around Us project is coordinated by the University of Oulu in collaboration with the universities of Turku and Helsinki. It is funded by the Kone Foundation.