A Finnish word for a warm room (temperatures around 80-140°C) used for cleansing and relaxation even more importantly. A sauna is equipped with wooden seating (in Finnish lauteet) and a casing holding an amount of stones heated by electricity or by burning wood (kiuas). Water is thrown on these hot rocks to create steam which makes you sweat thus making the dirt on your skin loosen. Traditionally going to sauna is accompanied by couple of beers and swimming in lake (summertime) or rolling in snow (wintertime). For Finns sauna is almost a holy place and great care has to be taken to behave in a corresponding manner (no farting, no yelling :).
by Banaani September 5, 2004
Also an Estonian word for a warm room (temperatures around 80-140°C) "used for cleansing and relaxation even more importantly". Pronounced "sow-na" not "saw-na". Can also be accompanies by the drinking of beer, or even better, vodka (From a bottle that has been kept in a freezer... goes down like water!)! For the more daring, in early winter can be accompanied by a jump in the lake, as long as the ice isn't too thick. For the REALLY daring, cut a hole in the ice (not too deep out) and jump in. For those bordering on INSANE, you can cut two holes in the ice a distance apart, run a rope between them (in the water) and pull yourself between the two holes. Not recommended for those who are drunk.
Sauna is extremely important to Finns and Estonians. If either has not been in a sauna for more than a week, this is cause to see a psychiatrist.
Another traditional aspect to the sauna is the vihta. This essentially is a bunch of small birch twigs (with many leaves) bundled together. This bundle is dipped in cold water, then warmed on the sauna stove to soften the leaves. The vihta is that lightly slapped onto the body. Very good for the circulation. Other materials have been used for vihtas when birch is not available. Some the author has seen/heard of are oak leaves and cedar. Oak leaves are much more resilient that birch, but to not create as nice a smell in the sauna.
Sauna is extremely important to Finns and Estonians. If either has not been in a sauna for more than a week, this is cause to see a psychiatrist.
Another traditional aspect to the sauna is the vihta. This essentially is a bunch of small birch twigs (with many leaves) bundled together. This bundle is dipped in cold water, then warmed on the sauna stove to soften the leaves. The vihta is that lightly slapped onto the body. Very good for the circulation. Other materials have been used for vihtas when birch is not available. Some the author has seen/heard of are oak leaves and cedar. Oak leaves are much more resilient that birch, but to not create as nice a smell in the sauna.
by Erik Miitel February 16, 2007
by kycam April 21, 2010
by John LeShare May 9, 2008
The only place where Finns are okay with high temperature and nudity, also the only place where you can see Finns be very close to each others.
by Reikä Perseessä July 10, 2018
by Abdul Majtu al-Fabukk March 16, 2013
A place where people (usually two dudes) have sex. This usually happens after meeting at a bar or other establishment.
by t57t February 19, 2009