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The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas. It is believed that Nicholas was born sometime around A.D. 280 in Patara, near Myra in modern-day...
Santa Claus, legendary figure who is the traditional patron of Christmas in the United States and other countries, bringing gifts to children. His popular image is based on traditions associated with Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century Christian saint.
Santa Claus (also known as Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, Santa, or Klaus) 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.
The story of Santa Claus seems to be a tale as old as time, but the Christmas icon actually has his roots in a real-life person—the Catholic figure of St. Nicholas.
Santa Claus is everywhere, and although he's traditionally associated with the Christmas holiday, his origins can be traced back to a blend of an early Christian bishop (and later saint) and a Norse deity. Let's take a look at where the jolly old guy came from.
The progenitor of the modern American Santa was born in the Mediterranean during the Roman Empire, his legend evolved across northern Europe, and he finally assumed his now-familiar form...
The story of his origin, rooted in the life of St Nicholas, enriches our understanding of Christmas and connects us to a tradition that spans centuries and continents.
The earliest origins of Santa Claus can be traced back to the 4 th century Greek bishop from Myra, called St Nicholas. In fact, even today, Santa is sometimes referred to as ‘St Nick’ in a nod to this early Christian saint.
But how did a 4th-century saint evolve into the beloved bringer of Christmas gifts? What ancient traditions contributed to the creation of this festive icon? And how has Santa Claus managed to captivate the hearts of both children and adults around the globe?
The Americanism ‘Santa Claus’ emerged from St. Nicholas’ Dutch nickname, Sinter Klaas. In 1809, Washington Irving popularised this name by referring to St. Nicholas as the patron saint of New York in his book, The History of New York.