Elite's Esoteric Symbols: J.L. Runeberg statue

One of the most visible statues in Helsinki is the J.L. Runeberg statue at the center of Esplanadi park. Johan Ludvig Runeberg is the national poet of Finland, and was perhaps the most famous person in Finland during the 19th century. His statue was designed by his son, Walter Runeberg. Both were Freemasons.

Helsinki Art Museum introduction:

Already during his lifetime, the Finnish national poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg (1804-77) was subject to a personal cult and glorification by literary critics. This left the younger generations of poets in his shadow, raising voices of criticism. Runeberg's influence and his adoration was not only national, but reached to the other Nordic countries such as Russia, Germany, France and the UK, too.

A year after Runeberg's death a committee appointed by the Estates, with Zacharias Topelius as secretary, commissioned a memorial from the poet's son Walter Runeberg, who was working in Paris at the time. The sculptor's draft was approved in 1882 and cast twice in bronze in Paris. The pedestal's Maiden of Finland, wrapped in a bearskin, was completed in 1883. In her left hand, she is holding a table with the words of the Finnish national anthem in Swedish. In her right hand she has a laurel wreath, and a pile of books lies by her feet.

The granite pedestal also contains an inscription and the year 1885. The poet Runeberg is depicted on the monument the age of 55, typically dressed in a priest's coat (like the one he wore while teaching at the Porvoo Gymnasium). His right arm is resting on his chest with the thumb stuck underneath the coat, as if he were about to begin a speech. The memorial contains no hint of the identity of the person depicted by it - it was considered self-evident. Runeberg's statue was unveiled on May 6, 1885, eight years after the poet's death.

J.L. Runeberg statue

J.L. Runeberg with the masonic "hidden hand" posture

J.L. Runeberg and Zacharias Topelius posing the masonic "hidden hand"

So, a committee headed by Zacharias Topelius, a Freemason, commissioned a memorial for J.L. Runeberg, a Freemason, from Runeberg's son, who was also a Freemason. Would it surprise you, if this memorial has some hidden in plain sight masonic symbolism?

Just look at the statue from above.

Statue surrounded with the shape of the masonic logo

The Art Museum's explanation for his posture is: "His right arm is resting on his chest with the thumb stuck underneath the coat, as if he were about to begin a speech."

Right. 'Cos that's how people always pose when they are about to give a speech?

That silly cover-up story tries to shift the focus away from the fact, that Runeberg is depicted with the masonic hand sign, called Lion's paw. This hand sign refers to the Lion of Judah - one of the most common symbols of the Cult of Aton.

Phoenixmasonry.org's definition for Lion's paw:

A mode of recognition so called because of the rude resemblance made by the hand and fingers to a lion's paw. It refers to the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. This expression is found in Revelations 5:5.