Whether he’s making his list or checking it twice, Santa Claus is a universally recognized symbol of the Christmas season. But the Americana-styled version seen in modern pop culture bears little resemblance to the real-life monk who inspired him; not only have Santa's costuming and characteristics changed throughout time and place, but his name has too.
The Man, The Myth, The Legend
The fictional Santa Claus we know today, with his crimson coat and heavy black boots suited for snow, evolved from stories about a monk born in the late third century CE. Known in Orthodox Christian tradition as St. Nicholas of Myra, this fourth-century Greek bishop lived and ministered in Asia Minor, or modern-day Turkey, and is typically portrayed in iconography as wearing the traditional canonical robes of the early church.
While little is known about the life of the historical St. Nicholas, legend has it that he had a reputation in the Christian community as a secret gift-giver among the impoverished. Over time, the feast day of St. Nicholas, December 6, developed its own gifting traditions. In the Middle Ages, Christians celebrated the occasion by giving small gifts to children the night before. However, as the Reformation swept Western Europe in the 16th century, German theologian Martin Luther changed this custom to coincide with Christmas Day on December 25 in an attempt to focus attention on Christ rather than the saints.
Coming to America
The leap from “St. Nicholas” to “Santa Claus” may seem like a big one, but it was in the Netherlands that the etymological bridge was built. Sinterklaas is the shortened version of Sint Nikolaas, the Dutch spelling for the original saint, in which “Klaas” is a nickname for “Nikolaas.” When Dutch families brought their Christmas customs to the New World, settling mostly in New York in the late 1700s, the name was anglicized into “Santa Claus.”
As America developed and transformed, so did the Old World traditions surrounding Christmas. Nineteenth-century artists and writers produced some of the iconic imagery of Santa Claus. The poem “A Visit From St. Nicholas” (more commonly known as “’Twas the Night Before Christmas”), published in 1822 by Clement Clarke Moore, solidified the character’s trademark fur-trimmed costume, snowy-white beard, twinkling eyes, and sack full of toys, and even gave playful names to his reindeer companions.
Civil War political cartoonist Thomas Nast used Moore’s poem as a starting point for his depictions of the gift-giving figure in Harper’s Weekly, but he likely used his own reflection to represent the jolly Santa with a rounded belly. Nast was also known for using his yearly Santa cartoons to display political messaging in the gifts, such as a toy horse representing a Trojan horse (government treachery).
Around the World With Saint Nick
Though this rotund, ruddy-cheeked figure is instantly recognizable as the modern iteration of Santa Claus, different versions still abound in all corners of the world. In Germany, Heilige Nikolaus bears a closer resemblance to the historical St. Nicholas, giving gifts on December 6 and wearing bishop’s attire. However, unlike the real saint, he travels with a frightening mythological beast called Krampus, who handles the naughty children.
Père Noël is the generous character who visits the girls and boys of France, distributing presents in exchange for carrots for his donkey, Gui. He shares commonalities with England’s Father Christmas, a statuesque man who dons green robes and a wreath of holly around his head, and is often depicted carrying food and wine.
Italy celebrates Christmas with Babbo Natale, but there's another character in regional folklore that dates back to the 700s. Legend has it that La Befana, a witch who distributes gifts to children from her broomstick, hosted the wise men of biblical record while they were on their way to meet the newborn baby Jesus.
Ded Moroz, or “Grandpa Frost,” is a beloved legendary figure throughout Russia. Dressed in a floor-length fur coat and felted boots, he travels with a magic stick in a horse-drawn carriage, to bring presents to the good children across Russia. His background and personification is inspired by elements of Slavic mythology.
Across all versions of the jolly old gift-bearer, the heart of St. Nicholas remains. The tradition of generosity associated with his legacy continues to define the spirit of the Christmas season, and whether he’s referred to as Sinterklaas or Santa Claus, the holidays just wouldn’t be the same without him.
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