Who is Santa Claus? The presentation is made by teacher Julia Apt, gymnasium 74, St. Petersburg, Russia JuliaApt.blogspot.ru

Who is Santa Claus?

There were several forerunners to Santa Claus.

The Norse God Odin

Odin was one of the early figures who rode through the winter world bringing either gifts or punishments.

Odin wore a blue-hooded cloak and had a long white beard.

He was both loved and feared because he was able to read hidden thoughts and watch from afar the behaviour of those he visited.

Saint Nicholas

Saint Nicholas was a real person. He lived in the 4 th century and was the Bishop of Myra. TCM Phonecard St Nicholas Center Collection

He was a rich person and travelled the country helping people, giving gifts of money and other presents. He did not like to be seen when he gave away presents.

Later he was named the patron saint of children, sailors, Russia and Greece. Block print by Marlene Reidel from Heilige, Ueberreuter, 1985;

It is about a poor man who had no money to give to his three daughters on their wedding day. St Nick dropped bags of gold into the stockings which the girls had left to dry by the fire. The sisters found the gold and ever since children have hung up stockings on Christmas Eve hoping that they will be filled with presents by Christmas morning. The story of hanging up stockings comes from St. Nicholas.

St. Nicholas was put in prison by the Roman Emperor Diocletian. He died on 6th December in either 345 or 352 AD. Illus. by Elisabeth Jvanovsky from Saint Nicholas by Henri Gheon, Sheed and Ward, 1936

In the 1200s, December 6 began to be celebrated as Bishop Nicholas Day in France.

Father Christmas

Father Christmas has British origin.

The earliest Father Christmas appeared during ancient British mid-winter festivals. He wasn't known as Father Christmas then, of course, but as a general pagan figure who represented the coming of spring.

He would wear a long, green hooded cloak and a wreath of holly, ivy or mistletoe.

In the 5th and 6th centuries, Father Christmas took on the characteristics of the Saxon Father Time, also known as King Frost or King Winter. Someone would dress up as King Winter and be welcomed into homes where he would sit near the fire and be given something to eat and drink. It was thought that by being kind to King Winter the people would get something good in return: a milder winter. Thus, Father Christmas became associated with receiving good things.

This association was strengthened when the Vikings invaded Britain and brought their own midwinter traditions with them. Like the Norse god Odin Father Christmas could travel magically and be in lots of places in a short space of time.

Christmas celebrations had been merry and noisy. That is why in the 17 th century they were banned by the church.

Saint Nicholas, or Father Christmas, or Santa Claus?

St. Nicholas became popular again in the Victorian era when writers, poets and artists rediscovered the old stories. Victoria wearing her small diamond crown Photograph by Alexander Bassano, 1882small diamond crownAlexander Bassano Queen Victoria. Reigned: 1837 – 1901

In 1822 Clement C. Moore wrote his world- famous poem "The Night before Christmas“ or “A Visit from St Nicholas”. A lot of modern traditions derive from this poem. 1862

In the poem we see a St. Nick who combines all the characteristics of Odin, St Nicholas and Father Christmas. This poem inspired Thomas Nash to draw this illustration. 1881?

According to the poem St. Nick travels through the sky on a sleigh pulled by 8 reindeer.

He comes into the house down the chimney at night and puts presents into the stockings.

At about the same time Dutch emigrants took the story of a legendary gift-bringer called 'Sinterklaas' to America where he eventually became known as Santa Claus.

By the early 20th century Father Christmas, Santa and St Nick merged. And the resulting 'right jolly old elf' is now the universally recognised symbol of Christmas.

In Victorian time different images of Santa or Father Christmas were popular

As the time passed, the image of Santa Claus was changing

It was greatly influenced by the Coca Cola company

The images can be different, but, needless to say, that both children and adults adore this 'right jolly old elf’.

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