Back Vader Kersfees Afrikaans Weihnachtsmann ALS بابا نويل Arabic بابا نويل ARZ ছাণ্টাক্লজ Assamese Pá Noel AST Santa-Klaus Azerbaijani Santa Claus BCL Санта-Клаус Byelorussian Санта-Кляўс BE-X-OLD
| Santa Claus | |
|---|---|
 1863 illustration by Thomas Nast | |
| Associates | |
| Attire | Santa suit |
| Aliases | Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, Santa, Father Christmas |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation | Delivering gifts to children on Christmas |
| Spouse | Mrs. Claus |
| Home | |
Santa Claus (also known as Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle or Santa) is a legendary figure[1] originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts during the late evening and overnight hours on Christmas Eve. Christmas elves are said to make the gifts in Santa's workshop, while flying reindeer pull his sleigh through the air.[2][3]
The popular conception of Santa Claus originates from folklore traditions surrounding the 4th-century Christian bishop Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children. Saint Nicholas became renowned for his reported generosity and secret gift-giving. The image of Santa Claus shares similarities with the English figure of Father Christmas, and they are both now popularly regarded as the same person.[4]
Santa is generally depicted as a portly, jolly, white-bearded man, often with spectacles, wearing a red coat with white fur collar and cuffs, white-fur-cuffed red trousers, a red hat trimmed with white fur, a black leather belt and boots, carrying a bag full of gifts for children. He is popularly associated with a deep, hearty laugh, frequently rendered in Christmas literature as "ho, ho, ho!"
This image originated in the United States during the 19th century, after Dutch settlers brought the legend of Sinterklaas ("Saint Nicholas") to 17th-century New Amsterdam (present-day New York City). The 1823 American poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas", written by an anonymous author, recounts Saint Nicholas arriving at the author's home on Christmas Eve in a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer. The poem laid the foundation for modern depictions of Santa Claus, strengthening the association between Santa Claus and Christmas. Over time, this connection has been maintained and reinforced through song, radio, television, children's books, family Christmas traditions, films, and advertising.[5][6]
- ^ "Santa Claus: History, Legend, & Facts". Encyclopedia Britannica. Archived from the original on 25 December 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
- ^ B. K. Swartz, Jr.; The Origin of American Christmas Myth and Customs Archived 30 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine; Retrieved 22 December 2007
- ^ Jeff Westover; The Legendary Role of Reindeer in Christmas Archived 3 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine; Retrieved 22 December 2007
- ^ "Father Christmas, green or red?". BBC. 4 December 2009.
- ^ Guyoncourt, Sally (16 December 2023). "The number of reindeer used by Santa Claus and their names". The i Paper.
- ^ "A Visit from St. Nicholas | Christmas poem, Twas the Night Before Christmas, Authorship, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 7 December 2024.