The Many Faces of Santa
There are as many versions of Santa Claus as there are cultures that celebrate him. Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Sinterklaas, Kris Kringle, Odin the Wanderer, Jule Nisse, Jouluppukki, to name a few. What may surprise you is that Santa Claus has not always been a jolly ole elf, or even human. In fact, he has been depicted as an evil gnome as well as a goat.
Okay, now we are getting freaky...but seriously, I am not making this up. Read on to learn more about this intriguing, yet almost universal, phenomenon that embodies the celebration of the winter solstice, Christmas, and Yuletide season.
Here's my favorite link:
Ancient Celebration Of The Winter Solstice: The Best Yuletide Ever
The Many Names of Santa Claus
- Santa Claus: The Americanized version.
- Father Christmas: British in origin.
- Sir Christmas: Predates Father Christmas in the United Kingdom.
- Lord Christmas: Predates Father Christmas in United Kingdom.
- Old Father Christmas: You guessed it...predates Father Christmas in United Kingdom.
- Saint Nicholas of Myra: Primary inspiration for the Christian figure of Santa Claus.
- Odin the Wanderer: Germanic in origin; a pagan god that rode an eight-legged horse named Sleipnir that could apparently fly or leap great distances. I want a horse like that :)
- Jouluppukki: Finnish name for Santa Claus. Literally translated as Yule Goat, this was an ugly creature that frightened children. Now they are available as cute little straw figures for the unknowing.
- Sinterklaas: The Dutch version of Santa Claus (or maybe the other way around).
- Pagan Goblin: Paranoid Christian delusion.
- Jule Nissen: Norwegian in origin. Leave a bowl of porridge outside for him and it will make him very happy.
- Ghost of Christmas Present: The spirit of Christmas as depicted by Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol.
- Jezí%u0161ek: translates as Baby Jesus, who in the Czech tradition is the one who delivers presents.
- Papa Noel: Papa Noel is the New Orleans Santa Claus, and, like New Orleans, a fog of mystery and myth surrounds him. He doesn't own a sleigh (it would sink in the bayou) and he has no need of reindeer (living on Cajun food, they'd be too full to fly). Instead he moves about in a pirogue, a narrow, flat-bottomed boat that can penetrate the deepest swamp. Some say he has 8 fat alligators and a red-nosed loup garou to pull his pirogue. Others say no, the alligators are just close friends, the loup garou is a distant cousin, and it's Papa Noel who has the red nose.
- Jólasveinarnir (Yule Lads):In Icelandic folklore, Jólasveinarnir or Yule Lads, or Yulemen, are characters who have become the modern day (almost) equivalent of Santa Claus. Their number has varied throughout the ages, but currently there are considered to be thirteen.
- Père Noel: Père Noël is the French equivalent of the British Father Christmas and the American Santa Claus.
- Le Père Fouettard: A sinister figure dressed in black who accompanies Saint Nicolas and whips children who have behaved badly.
- Krampus: The word Krampus originates from the Old High German word for claw (Krampen). In the Alpine region the Krampus is represented by an incubus in company of St Nicholas.
The American Santa Claus
Santa Claus is said to be a fictional folklore figure who is brings gifts on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or on his feast day, December 6.
The main idea about Santa Claus seemed to become mainstay after the publication of the poem A Night Before Christmas in 1823. In this poem he is depicted as a round individual with eight tiny reindeer.
The image of Santa Claus as a benevolent character became reinforced with its association with charity and philanthropy, particularly organizations such as the Salvation Army. Volunteers dressed as Santa Claus typically became part of fund raising drives to aid needy families at Christmas time.
This photonegative was taken by a Chicago Daily News photographer in 1902. Photo available through the Library of Congress's American Memory project via the Chicago Historical Society.
I don't know about you, but this picture is a bit eepycray for my tastes. On the other hand, he would make a great face for a voodoo doll, wouldn't he?
The main idea about Santa Claus seemed to become mainstay after the publication of the poem A Night Before Christmas in 1823. In this poem he is depicted as a round individual with eight tiny reindeer.
The image of Santa Claus as a benevolent character became reinforced with its association with charity and philanthropy, particularly organizations such as the Salvation Army. Volunteers dressed as Santa Claus typically became part of fund raising drives to aid needy families at Christmas time.
This photonegative was taken by a Chicago Daily News photographer in 1902. Photo available through the Library of Congress's American Memory project via the Chicago Historical Society.
I don't know about you, but this picture is a bit eepycray for my tastes. On the other hand, he would make a great face for a voodoo doll, wouldn't he?
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Odin the Wanderer
Numerous parallels have been drawn surrounding the figure of Odin, a major god amongst the Germanic Peoples prior to their Christianization. Odin was described as riding an eight-legged horse named Sleipnir that could leap great distances, giving rise to comparisons to Santa Claus' reindeer.
Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas of Myra is the primary inspiration for the Christian figure of Santa Claus. He was a 4th century Christian bishop of Myra in Lycia, a province of the Byzantine Anatolia, now in Turkey. Nicholas was famous for his generous gifts to the poor, in particular presenting the three impoverished daughters of a pious Christian with dowries so that they would not have to become prostitutes. He was very religious from an early age and devoted his life entirely to Christianity. In the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, and Germany he is still portrayed as a bearded bishop in canonical robes. The relics of St. Nicholas were transported to Bari in southern Italy by some enterprising Italian merchants; a basilica was constructed in 1087 to house them and the area became a pilgrimage site for the devout. Saint Nicholas became claimed as a patron saint of many diverse groups, from archers and children to pawnbrokers and prostitutes. He is also the patron saint of both Amsterdam and Moscow.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas
Santa, the Son of a Troll?
The legend of the Yule Lads of Iceland
In Icelandic folklore, jólasveinarnir or Yule Lads, or Yulemen, are characters who have become the modern day (almost) equivalent of Santa Claus. Their number has varied throughout the ages, but currently there are considered to be thirteen.
The Yule Lads were originally portrayed as being mischievous, or even criminal, pranksters that would steal from and harass the population (at the time mostly rural farmers). They all had descriptive names that conveyed their modus operandi. Take these names, for example: Meat Snatcher (Kjötkrókur), Skyr Gobbler (Skyrgámur), Candle Beggar (Kertasníkir), Sheep-fold Sneaker (Stekkjarstaur), Ladle Licker (Þvörusleikir), Pot Scraper (Pottaskefill), Bowl Licker (Askasleikir), Door Slammer (Hurðaskellir), Sausage Snatcher (Bjúgnakrækir), Window Peeper (Gluggagægir), Doorway Sniffer (Gáttaþefur).
The Yule Lads are traditionally said to be the sons of the mountain-dwelling trolls Grýla and Leppalúði. In modern times the Yule Lads have taken on a more benevolent role as they slowly merge with Santa Claus. In some cases they have taken up his costume, and nowadays little children in Iceland place their shoes in the window for thirteen days prior to Christmas, and each night a little gift is left in the shoe from the Yule Lad that came down from the mountains that night. If the children are naughty, however, they get a potato instead of a gift.
Around the beginning of the 20th century, the modern Santa Claus appeared on the scene, and Icelanders became aware of the Scandinavian Julenisser, gnome-like creatures who were kind to children. The Yule lads began to develop into a mixture of Julenisser, Yule lads and Santa Claus. The modern Yule lads are funny old men with child-like minds and behavior. They have retained some of their mischievous nature, although these days they have learned that they will usually get what they want if they only ask for it.
References
http://www.isholf.is/gullis/jo/yule_lads.htm
http://jol.ismennt.is/myndasafn1.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%B3lasveinar
Jule Nisser
A Christmas Card showing a typical Scandinavian "Nisse", preparing his Yule porridge. Printed in Denmark and used in Iceland, Christmas 1915.
Father Frost
Just when you thought there were no other versions of our beloved jolly ole elf, along comes Father Frost, or Ded Moroz as he is called in the culture of eastern Slavs.Ded Moroz brings presents to children. However, unlike the clandestine ways of Santa Claus, he often brings them in person, at the celebrations of the New Year. The "in-person" gifts only occur at big organized celebrations, where the gifts can be "standardized." The clandestine operations of placing the gifts under the New Year tree still occur while the children are young. Ded Moroz is accompanied by Snegurochka (Snow Maiden), his granddaughter.
The traditional appearance of Ded Moroz resembles Santa Claus, with his heel-long fur coat, semi-round fur hat, white high boots, and long white beard. Unlike Santa Claus, however, he walks with a long magical staff, does not say "Ho, ho, ho," and drives a three-horse drawn sled as opposed to eight tiny reindeer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_Frost
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Companions of Father Christmas
The Companions of Saint Nicholas (or Father Christmas) are a group of closely related figures who accompany St. Nicholas in many European traditions. The tradition is particularly strong amongst the Germanic peoples, with some regional expression in the U.S. (largely from European ethnic groups).
The most recognized companions are as follows:
*Knecht Ruprecht, which translates as Farmhand Ruprecht or Servant Ruprecht
*Krampus (Austria, Bavaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary [spelled Krampusz])
*Klaubauf (Bavaria)
*Bartel (Styria)
*Pelzebock, Pelznickel
*Belzeniggl, Belsnickel (Pennsylvania)
*Schmutzli (Switzerland)
*Rumpelklas, Bellzebub, Hans Muff, Drapp or Buzebergt (Augsburg)
*Hanstrapp (Alsace, East of France) and
*Le Père Fouettard (Northern France)
In the Czech Republic, St. Nicholas or Svatý Mikulá%u0161 is accompanied by the Cert (Devil) and Andel (Angel). These servants are often associated with, but are distinct from Saint Nicholas' helpers in the Netherlands and Flanders (called Zwarte Piet, meaning Black Pete(r) in English).
The Companions travel with St. Nicholas or his various equivalents (Father Christmas, Santa Claus), carrying with them a rod (sometimes a stick and in modern times often a broom) and a sack. They are sometimes dressed in black rags, bearing a black face and unruly black hair. In many contemporary portrayals the companions look like dark, sinister, or rustic versions of Nicholas himself, with a similar costume but with a darker color scheme.
Pictured is Zwarte Piete (Black Pete) who, according to the folklore and legends of the Netherlands and Flanders, is a companion of Sinterklaas whose yearly feast in the Netherlands is on the evening of 5 December(Sinterklaas-avond, i.e. St. Nicolas Eve) and 6 December in Flanders, when they distribute presents to all good children.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Companions_of_Saint_Nicholas
Krampus< St. Nick's Incubus Friend
The word Krampus originates from the Old High German word for claw (Krampen). In the Alpine region the Krampus is represented by an incubus in company of St Nicholas. Traditionally, young men dress up as the Krampus in the first two weeks of December and particularly in the evening of December 5 and roam the streets frightening children (and adults) with rusty chains and bells. In some rural areas, a slight spanking with a birch stick, especially of young females by the Krampus, is part of tradition.
The present day Krampus costume consists of red wooden masks or Larve, black sheep's skin and horns. Considerable effort goes into the manufacture of the hand-crafted masks, as many younger adults in rural communities engage competitively in the Krampus events.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus#Krampus
Perchta, an Ancient Goddess
Santa Gets Around!
The word Perchten refers to the female masks representing the entourage of Frau Perchta or Pehta baba as is known in Slovenia. Frau Perchta is believed to be an ancient goddess, perhaps with a connection to the nordic goddess Freyja. Traditionally, the masks were displayed in processions during the last week of December and first week of January, and particularly on January 6th. The costume consists of a brown wooden mask and brown or white sheep's skin. In recent times Krampus and Perchten have increasingly been displayed in a single event, leading to a loss of distinction of the two. Perchten are associated with midwinter and the embodiment of fate and the souls of the dead. The name originates from the German word "peraht", or "brilliant", meant as a warning against the sin of vanity.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus#Krampus
Santa Link List
- Alte Sitte Schwietz
- Mystic places. Old folk tales. Archaic mask customs. In Switzerland, many heathen traditions have survived.We want to preserve and strengthen this cultural and spiritual heritage.
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- Santa Claus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, or simply "Santa" is a fictional folklore figure who, in Western cultures, ...
- Santa Claus and Christmas at the Northpole
- Enjoy Christmas with Santa Claus at the North pole, an award-winning Christmas web site. Send a letter to Santa Clause or a Christmas card to a friend.
- Santa-Claus.com For A Letter From Santa and Phone Call From Santa
- Santa-Claus.com is the web's most popular site for letters from Santa and phone calls from Santa. A Santa Letter is a personal communication to a child.
- History of Santa Claus
- The American version of the Santa Claus figure received its inspiration and its name from the Dutch legend of Sinter Klaas, brought by settlers to New York ...
- Urban Legends Reference Pages: Coca-Cola Invents Santa
- Did Coca-Cola create the modern image of Santa Claus? ... Santa Claus was an evolutionary creation, brought about by the fusion of two religious personages ...
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Reader Feedback
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- anaturalphenomenon anaturalphenomenon Nov 14, 2009 @ 5:15 pm
- This is a nice lens, but I did not see anything about "the Holly King".
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- M_S_Beltran M_S_Beltran Nov 11, 2008 @ 1:34 pm
- Nice lens... I have lensrolled you to my Yule page; very informative.
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- spirituality spirituality May 3, 2008 @ 1:14 pm
- Lovely. As a Dutch person though I can tell you it's 'Zwarte Piet' (Black Pete), not zwarete piete.
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- eventyr eventyr Apr 7, 2008 @ 10:30 am
- How interesting!
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- ebayaholic ebayaholic Dec 18, 2007 @ 9:33 am
- Wow! I had no idea Santa had so many names!
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