The existing Finnish orders – the Order of the Cross of Liberty and the Order of the White Rose of Finland – could not keep up with the decorations and their highest grades were in danger to become inflated due to too many holders. The Order of the Lion of Finland was thus established to allow the continuation of decorating foreigners with high ranks in Finnish orders,[2] although the Order of the Lion of Finland can also be awarded to Finnish nationals.[1] The new order also allowed for more flexible decorations, taking in account the rank and achievements of the recipients.[3]