Santa Claus - from where did he get his not-so-saintly characteristics?

Question

Where did these come from? The ability to slide down (and up - creepy!) chimneys! Let's not forget the ability to be omnipresent (pun intended!) and to an extent, omniscient.

His association with magical animals and beings. Flying reindeer; elves etc.

The sex symbol. Old Santa is often associated with a nymphet who also wears a Santa outfit (what's her name?). At other times, he ravishes wives if they should be up on Christmas Eve.

Doesn't Santa more closely resemble some ancient deity or some other mythical being with his merry-making, wine and women etc?

Note: I’m not here to dampen Christmas. Christmas time can be special. The real St. Nicholas was a good person. I’d just like to get some info on the 'other' aspects of Santa, if you have some good info.

Answer 1

The best resource I can recommend is a well-researched little film (52 minutes) called 'The Curious Case of Santa Claus'. Featuring James Coco as Santa and Jon Pertwee as the psychiatrist he visits, it traces the story of Bishop Nicholas of Myra and how he became Santa Claus. It's available from a Scottish company called Rel Records (www.relrecords.com). I've recommended this film so often lately that I must sound like I work for them, but I don't.

To answer your questions to the best of *my* ability, The chimney thing came from Lapland, where, during the winter, the only way in and out of the traditional houses (called yurts) was through the smoke-hole. Lapps count their wealth in the number of reindeer in their herds; the Lapp shamans used to get high, and so did their reindeer, so that's where the flying reindeer come into the mix.

The current 'sexy helper in the elf costume' thing probably derives from Zwarte Piet (Black Peter), a Moorish boy (though probably originally a chimney sweep) who accompanies Sinterklaas when he makes his visits in Holland. I've never heard of Santa ravishing any wives, so I think someone's been pulling your leg.

Answer 2

the history channel just did a special on the origins of christmas. there are some important facts about christmas has changed since the catholic church made dec 25 the official day of Mass.
Santa clause has had many forms and reincarnations through the millenias but mostly the season started out as a pagan orgie of public deeds. even in England it was Outlawed because of the Unrighteous deeds and practices it has had, but mostly christmas is a 19th century invention with a 20th century reinterpretation. christians have tried to make traditions less wicked and more righteous and family reunions have made it closer to celebrating the birth of christ and its nativity. Although the true nativity is declared to have happened in spring and not in winter because the gospels clearly denote the shepherds in the fields with their flocks.

Answer 3

Modern day Santa has elements that come from many places.

The image of the fat jolly man that we now call Santa Clause was created by the Coca Cola company in the earlier part of the 20th century.

The sleigh and flying reindeer are thought to have originated from the Sammi people. The Sammi are people who are indigenous to the northernmost regions of Scandenavia and surrounding areas. They have remained culturally autonomous from mainstream European society and are also seeking autonomous rule. They are also known as the Reindeer people as they "own" large herds of reindeer which roam the circumpolar regions of the globe. It's thought that their ancestors had accesses to hallucinagenic mushrooms and hallucinated up the story of flying reindeer.

Generally speaking, christmas is a brew of pagan and christian elements which took over 2000 years in the making and has elements of various cultures.

The celebration of christmas varies from country to country.

Answer 4

Santa Claus is just anonther form of Father Christmas and he is a throw back to the Pagan Oak and Holly gods. It would make sence that some of the gods characteristics would come across.

Answer 5

I found this interesting link detailing the history of Santa Claus from St. Nicolas, as well as the history of other Christmas traditions. You'll want to read all the links under the "evolution of santa claus".

Answer 6

The charactor we call Santa Claus is an abomination that combines attributes from many belief systems.He has some attributes of God(omnipresents, omniscience), some from the druids and other pagan religions, and Catholicism.
He has nothing to do with the REAL reason for Christmas,the birth of Jesus Christ.

Answer 7

The current Santa of today is no more then advertisement.

No more then a sales pitch to get you to buy more toys for the kids.

Answer 8

Santa (saint)Claus (Klaus Germain).Santa as we all know is made up. st. Nicholas i think lives in the 1700 was a man who gave to the poor,and flowed GOD.