Santa Claus is based on a real person but his persona has evolved dramatically.
From wikipedia (abridged and sloppily edited):
Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, or simply "Santa" is a legendary and fictional character associated with bringing gifts on Christmas Day. The popular North American form Santa Claus originated as a mispronunciation of Dutch Sinterklaas, which in turn is a contracted form of Sint Nicolaas (Saint Nicholas). However, the Dutch Sinterklaas, is different from Santa Claus, in many ways: see the section on Dutch folklore. The Dutch word for Santa Claus is Kerstman ("Christmas man"). Santa Claus has a suit that comes in many colors depending on the country. The most common depiction (red with white sleeves, collar, and belt) became the more popular image in the United States in the mid-to-late 19th century.
American origins
Thomas Nast immortalized Santa Claus with an illustration for the January 3, 1863, issue of Harper's Weekly.
Thomas Nast immortalized Santa Claus with an illustration for the January 3, 1863, issue of Harper's Weekly.
In the British colonies of North America and later the United States, British and Dutch versions of the gift-giver merged further. For example, in Washington Irving's History of New York, (1809), Sinterklaas was Americanized into "Santa Claus" but lost his bishop's apparel, and was at first pictured as a thick-bellied Dutch sailor with a pipe in a green winter coat. Irving's book was a lampoon of the Dutch culture of New York, and much of this portrait is his joking invention.
Modern ideas of Santa Claus seemingly became canon after the publication of the poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas" (better known today as "The Night Before Christmas") in the Troy, New York, Sentinel on December 23, 1823. In this poem Santa is established as a heavyset individual with eight reindeer (who are named for the first time). Santa Claus later appeared in various colored costumes as he gradually became amalgamated with the figure of Father Christmas, but red soon became popular after he appeared wearing such on an 1885 Christmas card. Still, one of the first artists to capture Santa Claus' image as we know him today was Thomas Nast, an American cartoonist of the 19th century. In 1863, a picture of Santa illustrated by Nast appeared in Harper's Weekly.
*~*~*~*~
So, maybe this was a longer answer than you anticipated, but I think that Santa is a symbol of what one person can do for many. So, I think that Santa lives in our hearts and minds, and should be remembered not just at Christmas, but all year long... (Cheesiness intended.)
2007-08-20 15:34:54
·
answer #1
·
answered by Danni 2
·
0⤊
0⤋
Santa is larger than life and the example he sets affects people the world over, so yes, Santa is quite real.
2007-08-21 09:45:49
·
answer #2
·
answered by rtanys 6
·
0⤊
0⤋
Of course Santa is real. Everytime you give a gift to a child, It's Santa giving it. Santa is the Spirit Of Giving. Santa resides in all of us.
2007-08-20 17:01:23
·
answer #3
·
answered by asbratcher 4
·
1⤊
0⤋
eh...no. When I was about 5 years old I did believe in santa. I left cookies and a cup of milk near the fireplace. I woke up the next morning. Same presents under the tree, the cookies and milk untouched. I hoped that fat son of a ***** fell off my roof and he never showed. I also had a teacher who looked like santa, but he was mean and cruel to the class, so it couldn't have been him.
2007-08-21 04:30:41
·
answer #4
·
answered by Stupid 2
·
0⤊
0⤋
Santa Claus is real because he was already declared a saint. Therefore, if he is a saint, he can perform miracles such as giving gifts to a mass number of good children.
2007-08-20 15:43:00
·
answer #5
·
answered by Anonymous
·
2⤊
0⤋
Yes Virgina there is a Santa clause.
2007-08-20 16:12:31
·
answer #6
·
answered by JuanB 7
·
0⤊
0⤋
lol....coming here and asking this is basicly asking the opinions of people. if thats what ur aiming for you got it!
i believe santa is not real. he hasnt came for one single christmas and i was never a naughty boy -_- im still waiting for him and i'm starting to lose hope...1 more year till im a teenager so i guess i still got more chance
2007-08-20 15:32:45
·
answer #7
·
answered by Skye From NY 1
·
0⤊
0⤋
the Santa Claus we picture is based off a real person.
But other then that what ever helps you sleep at night.
2007-08-20 16:03:26
·
answer #8
·
answered by Riklionheart 2
·
0⤊
0⤋
Yes
2007-08-20 16:59:51
·
answer #9
·
answered by Anonymous
·
0⤊
0⤋
He's as real as the children who read this, lets not wreck Christmas people.
PS:
Yes I do belive in him, who else puts all those cool things under the tree
2007-08-20 17:34:57
·
answer #10
·
answered by Anonymous
·
1⤊
0⤋