2006-12-02 04:18:03 · 15 answers · asked by socker cutie 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
derived from Saint Nicholas, a catholic saint.
2006-12-02 04:20:43 · answer #1 · answered by David B 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Santa Claus is something of a syncretic figure, a patchwork of legendary characters. While most accept that Santa is evolved from fourth century Catholic Saint Nicholas of Myra (The name Santa Claus is an Americanization of the Dutch name for Nicholas, "Sinterklaas"), that's really a bit of a gloss. In truth, traditions of elves, witches, or other supernatural gift-givers pre-existed in European tradition. The Scandinavian gift-giving gnome Tomten (Also known as Julesvenn, Julnissen, Knecht Ruprecht) contributed the archetypal peaked red hat and associations with reindeer. Tomten was a little more volatile than today's Santa- he could leave gifts or play tricks depending on the quality of the offerings for him (sometimes, he is portrayed as a demon who whips bad children; in Germany he's krampus, a ragged devil). After the advent of Christianity in the North, the cantankerous elf became sidekick to the Saint (Belsnickel, 'furry Nicholas'), he being responsible for the distribution of whippings and coal to the naughty children. The Christmas imp was eventually absorbed, leaning only his red cap and sleigh behind. (I suspect he may now be seen working as sidekick to the white witch in the Narnia Books; he is also the close relation of Riumpelstilzkin) (and speaking of evil elves...)
Knecht loading his sack with naughty childrenSomehow stories of the generous St. Nicholas (well, mostly so- Nicholas was also reputed to have socked a rival in the jaw over a dispute about the virgin Mary) were muddled with the Scandinavian elf. According to his legend, St. Nicholas was a political activist who championed the poor, prisoners, and children. His association with Christmas giving is almost certainly cover for less acceptable pagan characters.
Santa Claus as we visualize him today sprang from the imagination of American political cartoonist Thomas Nast (yes- the man who gave the world the word "Nasty" also gave us Santa Claus!) Santa's British counterpart, Father Christmas, is a little bit St. Nick and a little bit Father time. Italian children don't know Santa; they await gifts from Befana, a kindly witch. Dutch children leave shoes out and hope for a small gift from the Kriskind, an angel representing the Christ child (another name for Kriskind is 'Kris Kringle,' so referring to Santa by that name creates a sort of Jesus/elf-angel hybrid)
2006-12-02 14:47:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Santa Clause represents Saint Nicholas, who once a year gave to the poor children. Why his name was changed to Santa Clause, I don't know, and why was Christmas day chosen for his visit, I'm not sure. But I think it has to do with giving. God gave His Son to us as a gift for mankind. So Saint Nicholas followed suite with the giving to the less fortunate, creating peace and harmony. Thus, the day of gift exchanging was started and a visit from jolly Ol' St. Nick.
2006-12-02 12:27:47 · answer #3 · answered by Vida 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Saint Nickolas was a real person. Actually, he was a Bishop in the fourth century church and attended the meeting at Nice where the Nicene Creed was established. During the feast of St. Stephen, the good Bishop would secretly toos bags of coins at the door of the needy (one family in particular) which was later expanded into our current Santa Claus concept.
2006-12-02 12:32:31 · answer #4 · answered by Stan G 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe it comes from in part St. Nicholas a Polish priest who would go around at night and drop of little sacks of money on the door steps of the poor daughters so they would have a dowry to get married, do not quote me on his nationality, but the rest I am positive of, when he was canonized in I believe the 1700's, his legend grew of how and what he did, it was adopted by his local village and instead of money they exchanged home made gifts or foods, over 200 years (well really 60 years) this tradition was picked up by the church and priests would have a gathering at their church and the community would exchange good wishes and small things for the kids and business deals where done, it became a common place tradition of celebrating in the home, then going to the church to do the same thing with the community, how it be came so commercial.......invention of radio, and then TV...ah the Internet
2006-12-02 12:46:52 · answer #5 · answered by grissomguy2005 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The popular American form Santa Claus originated as a mispronunciation of Dutch Sinterklaas, which is a contracted form of Sint Nicolaas (Saint Nicholas).
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2006-12-02 13:52:41 · answer #6 · answered by Gene B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everything....Santa Claus is a Christmas figure and Christmas is a Christian holiday. The celebration of the birth of Christ.
2006-12-02 12:27:27 · answer #7 · answered by jazi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely nothing., His story was invented in the early 1950's by Coca Cola to market their product in Europe during the post war depression. The people went for it due to the story being fabled after St Nicholas. Since then we have had the jolly fat man in the red suit responsible for turning a religious day into an expensive day of fullfilling our kids wish lists.
Thanks Coke.
2006-12-02 12:25:29 · answer #8 · answered by CLOCKWORK 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
umm santa clause was definitely NOT invented in the 1950's its been way longer than that
2006-12-02 12:34:12 · answer #9 · answered by Darlin' 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
From Saint Nick or Noel The holiday Christmas also has to do with catholics and christians (note- CHRISTmas as)
2006-12-02 12:33:18 · answer #10 · answered by icepgurl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋