The persona of Santa Claus and the culture that he draws portray Christmas as a gift-giving, gift-receiving holiday, but to understand how this figure emerged, one must look back into history. The history, religion and mythology are intertwined with the creation of the figure we acknowledge today. Over the years, the portrayal of Santa changed, but that begs a question, that in the beginning, who was the one who used Santa? In this context, let us explore the beginnings, and development of Santa over the years.
St Nicholas – The man who started it all
If history is to be acknowledged, the first true father Christmas figure was a Christian Bishop who was born around the 270 B.C, Saint Nicholas of Myra. Nicholas was known for his religious influence and caring nature. Over time, the three women; Nicholas would provide dowries to eventually led to his global renown. The man was known for providing love through gifts and remained an anonymous figure who gifted the ladies money through socks.
As his stunts continued, more and more people started recognizing him as the Franciscan Patron and this close affinity allowed him to remain close to God. As more people gathered around to support Nicholas’s kindness, various other bishop supporters helped celebrate the occasion in June. The feat day was celebrated on the sixth of December and is recognized in Christianity’s middle age.
Sinterklaas in Dutch Tradition
Sinter Klaus stories must have originated when Saint Nicholas’s legend moved across the globe and was adopted and modified by other cultures and people. For the Dutch however, he continued to be Sinterklaas who was an old man with a beard who wore the robes of a bishop and was seen riding a white pony. Children would get toys the night before December sixth which was the date of his feast the next day.
The way that Santa Claus is known has had a significant development thanks to Dutch families. The 17th century saw the migration of several Dutch settlers to North America and with them came the traditions of Sinterklass. “Santa Claus” originated from anglicisation of the term “Sinterklass” and can be said to be among the earliest of the term being used in its modern definition.
Norse and Pagan Influences
Norse mythology, as well as traditions of unethical Europe, are sources that provided inspiration for the concept of Santa Claus. Odin was said to ride a beast with eight legs, during midwinter festivals that enabled him to lead a ghostly army across the nights. Food and sometimes toys were left for the horse by children with the certainty that Odin would swap them with presents.
Additional pagan practices like the Yule log celebration and the concentration on the winter solstice, shaped the character of Santa as a magical person associated with the celebration of Christmas. These customs had a bearing on later European images of other typical Santas.