Designed by Ville Vallgren (1855–1940) in Parisian Art Nouveau style, this fountain sculpture was cast in bronze in Paris in 1906 and unveiled on Helsinki's Market Square on 20 September 1908. According to the sculptor, the female figure rising from the sea symbolises Helsinki and the birth of the city. Four sea lions and water-spouting fish among seaweed surround her, and the roughly five-metre work stands on pink Vehmaa granite.
It was criticised at first, especially by women, but gradually won people over. On May Day Eve students cap the statue with a white student cap, now from 6 pm. Climbing it was banned in 1990, so the cap is placed with a crane.
