How Does the Sauna’s Origin Story Affect Your Home Sauna Project?

Saunas have a welcome home in Finnish culture. It’s in our DNA. As recently as the 1960s, it was common for women to give birth in a sauna, and quite often, a new home is built around the sauna — and not the other way around. It is estimated that around 99% of Finns use a sauna regularly and around 55% of Finnish homes have one. And, with the Finnish people being some of the happiest on the planet — the happiest, in fact, and seven times in a row — the sauna life is clearly working for them.

But how did all of this come about?

The answer — as with so many things — lies in our ancient history.

The Finnish winter can be long, cold and harsh. Realising that enclosing a fire was more effective at trapping its warmth, the first saunas were constructed by the early Finns in around 1500-1900BC as a way to provide reliable and consistent heat. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention.

With their basic survival ensured, other benefits of these proto-saunas began to reveal themselves. For instance, the hot steam released from throwing water onto a sauna’s stones was a good way of opening the pores, and staying clean. This, in turn, reduced and prevented illness, whilst also soothing muscular pains, improving circulation and lessening the effects of other ailments — further strengthening early communities in the face of the elements. As with many societies, the Finns drew spiritual meaning from the bounties of their success. These saunas were not just structures; they were powerful centres of healing, temple-like, and revered as part of the fabric of their identity.

As such, every minor detail of the sauna adopted its own significance and symbolism. The quiet stillness that we seek in a sauna, for instance, is something that is said to be protected by Saunatonttu — a kind guardian spirit who should be respected at all times. The healing properties of the sauna were attributed to the tulenväki (or fire spirits) — mystical entities who drive away sickness. The most effective saunas, so it is said, are the ones that are heated up by a tree felled by lightning!

With spiritual beliefs came rituals. To this day, Finns practice avanto or cold plunging after visiting the sauna. While this may sound like a shock to the system (particularly in the height of winter!) around a fifth of Finns do it regularly. It’s been proven to increase immunity, relieve stress and improve sleep, as well as mitigating aches, pains and inflammation and famously, boosting your metabolism.

When we make saunas at Finnished, we do so with the full weight of our history inspiring our decisions. We truly believe the sauna is the heart of your home. We respect and understand the intricacies of the materials we use, their physical effects and their spiritual significance. And, if you’re feeling brave, we can even construct a cold plunge alongside your home sauna so you can experience avanto — the proper way — for yourself.

If you’re interested in the sauna lifestyle, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thanks for reading,

Team Finnished