Santa Claus- the legendary hero of Christmas, good old man bringing gifts to children on Christmas And New Year. As a rule, he is depicted as a cheerful, plump grandfather with a white beard, dressed in a red caftan bordered with white. He flies through the air on a sleigh full of toys and pulled by eight reindeer. It is said that on Christmas Eve, Santa (also St. Nicholas or St. Nick) enters homes through the chimney and places gifts under the Christmas tree and in the stockings of all children who have behaved well throughout the year. Although the familiar image of Santa Claus is a North American invention of the 19th century, it still has ancient European roots and has had a major influence on Christmas celebrations around the world.
Origin of the legend.
In history, Saint Nicholas first appears in Christian legends, in which he is idolized for rescuing sailors marooned during a storm, protecting children and giving generous gifts to the poor. Although the authenticity of many stories about St. Nicholas is questionable (they say, for example, how he once brought a bag of gold to a poor family by throwing it through a window), his legend spread throughout Europe, giving him the image of a hero who gave gifts to children. Christian Saint Nicholas changed or transformed into various pagan images, such as the Italian Befana, or the German Berchta. The saint was called SanktNikolaus in Germany and Sanct Herr Nicholaas or Sinter Klaas in Holland. In these countries, Saint Nicholas was sometimes depicted galloping across the sky on a horse. He appeared in the robes of a bishop and was at times accompanied by Black Peter, an elf who was supposed to spank naughty children. The celebration of St. Nicholas Day, the day when people exchanged gifts, usually took place on December 6th. After the Reformation, German Protestants recognized the veneration of the son of Christ and created their own day of celebration for him - December 25. As the tradition spread widely, it began to be closely associated with Christmas.
American origin.
American Santa Claus got its inspiration and name from the Danish legend of Sinter Klaas, which the founders of New York brought with them in the 17th century. The name Santa Claus first appeared in the American press as St. A Claus, ah famous writer Washington Irving was the first to tell detailed history about the Danish Saint Nicholas. In his History of New York, published in 1809 under the pseudonym of Diedrich Knickerbocker, Irving described the appearance of the Saint on horseback, accompanied by Black Peter, every year on the eve of St. Nicholas Day. This Danish-American image of Saint Nick became fully national for the American people in 1823 with the publication of Clement Clarke Moore's poem "A Visit From Saint Nicholas" better known as "The Night Before Christmas". Moore added details such as the names of the reindeer, Santa's laughter, nods and winks, and described the way in which Santa, like an elf, came back from the chimney (Moore's interpretation was not based on his own head, but by reference to Irving's 1809 work).
It seems that this good old man with a snow-white beard has always existed, but a symbol New Year's holidays it became only about 200 years ago. The image of Santa developed gradually, and each nation contributed something of its own to it, but its obligatory attributes were a white mustache and beard, gloves and a bag of gifts.
On December 19, all Orthodox Rus' celebrates the saint's day Nikola Ugodnik. It was he who became the prototype of today's Santa Claus, as he is called in the West. Where did the fat New Year's man in a red zipun come from, who rides around on reindeer, lives for some reason in Lapland and gives gifts to all the children? But Santa Claus, that is, Saint Nicholas, lived in the 4th century in the city of Myra in the country of Lycia (present-day Turkey), was a thin monk and hardly even saw snow. How did it happen that the name of one of the greatest ascetics of the Church became a character in a New Year's children's fairy tale? The answer is simple - apostasy, a general falling away from the Christian faith, from the Mother Church. Today's American does not understand what Christ has to do with Christmas, because the word Christmas itself - Christmass ("Christ's Mass") began to be written like this - "X-mas". The closeness of the memory of this saint to Christmas made him the hero of this holiday, which for Westerners has lost all Christian roots.
In many countries around the world, until recently, Santa Claus was the symbol of the New Year. Each people called it differently, sometimes very funny: Yolupukki (Finns), Deda Mraz (Croats), Noel Baba (Turks), Pere Noel (French).
It was, in fact, because of this very bag of gifts that another confusion occurred, which led to the fact that in England and America the traditional Father Frost began to be called... Santa Claus. And then in many other countries as well: Santa Nicholas (in Belgium), Svyatos Mikalaus (in the Czech Republic), Site Kaas or Sinter Klaas (in Holland). All these names are translated into Russian the same way - St. Nicholas.
Who was this same Saint Nicholas, who is revered all over the world, albeit in a completely fictitious image? The answer to this question is given by his biography or, in church language, his life.
The future saint was born around 270 in the city of Patara, in Lycia, on the southern coast of Asia Minor (now the territory of Turkey). His parents were noble and rich, but did not have children until they were very old. Through their fervent prayers, the Lord gave them a son, whom they named Nikolai, which means “victorious people.”
WITH youth The boy spent almost all his time in church; at a more mature age he was ordained a priest. When his parents died, leaving Nicholas a rich inheritance, there was no doubt for him that it should be used to help those in need. Such an opportunity soon presented itself.
Not far away lived a once noble and wealthy man, who had now fallen into extreme poverty. Having exhausted all possibilities to get out of the difficult situation, he decided to take an extreme measure: to sacrifice the honor of his three beautiful daughters. Having learned about this, Saint Nicholas decided to help them. Three times at night he sneaked up to their wretched home and threw a bag of gold out the window. Soon all the sisters got married successfully, the merchant’s trading business went smoothly, and he, in turn, also began to help people. When Nicholas was elevated to the rank of bishop of the city of Myra, he remained just as kind, sympathetic and caring. The doors of his house were not closed - he equally helped and strong of the world this, and the poor; He was a father to orphans, a breadwinner for the poor, a comforter to those who mourn, an intercessor to the offended...
Saint Nicholas died in 342, but his death did not stop his good deeds: countless miracles, one more amazing than the other, did not and will not cease to be performed for all who call on his holy name.
Special veneration of St. Nicholas in Germany began already in the 6th century, in Rome - in the 8th century, and therefore, already in the Middle Ages, a good custom was established here and in other European countries: on St. Nicholas Day, December 19, to give gifts to children, following his example.
But here’s the problem: when, after a little over two weeks, the Nativity of Christ came with its “gift” traditions - the Magi, who found with the help guiding star The Infant Christ was presented to Him as a gift of gold, incense and myrrh - again it was impossible to do without gifts. Therefore, over time, both of these “gift” traditions came together, eventually becoming an indispensable attribute of the Christmas holiday. And Saint Nicholas turned into... a kind wizard, giving gifts to children (remember the episode from his life with bags of gold) and fulfilling their cherished desires. And already from the 10th century, it was Santa Claus who congratulated German children; in Poland, from the 13th century, scholarships were distributed in schools in his name.
Today's Santa Claus is the joint brainchild of the Dutch (the trendsetters, so to speak), the Americans and the British. They tormented him for a long time: they either wrapped him in a cloak, or gave him the appearance of a slender smoker-chimney sweep throwing his gifts through chimneys, or depicted him with lush sideburns, dressed in furs from head to toe... He drew a beard for him in 1860 American artist Thomas Knight. Then he was dressed in a red fur coat trimmed with fur. The image of a good-natured fat man with an indispensable bag of gifts was invented by the Englishman Tenniel.
And then somehow, imperceptibly, this omnipresent Santa Claus became (no more or less) a symbol of Christmas! His first appearance in this capacity happened in 1885 in America: at the first Christmas greeting card(following the example of the British) he had already been drawn - in a red robe and cap, with white sideburns and thick eyebrows, with a red nose and a bag full of gifts.
Where does Santa Claus live?
Many Nordic countries There is still a debate about where Santa Claus lives. Some believe that he lives at the North Pole, others believe that he settled in the town of Rovaniemi in northern Finland. In modern Finland there is even a special service for answering on behalf of Santa Claus, and this is understandable, because... on average in December he receives up to 80 thousand letters from children different countries with requests and wishes.
The English word Santa Claus comes from the nickname Sinterklaas (from the word "ash") of St. Nicholas (in Orthodox tradition Nicholas the Pleasant) were the first Dutch settlers in America. He was considered the patron saint of sailors and children, for whom he prepared gifts all year, and on Christmas night he delivered them and left them in stockings prepared for gifts. True, this began to be considered later, and among the Dutch Sinterklaas was, rather, a stern teacher, for he poured ash into the stockings of those children who did not behave as they should. The main Christmas character gained particular popularity after the American professor of Greek and Oriental literature Clement Clark MOORE in 1822 wrote a poem for his children for the holiday about St. Nicholas, who appears on the night before Christmas, when even mice fall asleep, and goes down the chimney with a bag full of gifts to leave for the children. In a fur coat, with a white beard and a red nose, he rides around on a team of eight reindeer, and his approach can be recognized by the creaking of runners and the melodious ringing of bells tied to the reindeer necks.
The poem quickly spread and became popular, which somewhat offended the professor, since he was very serious and did not approve of the fun that the Christmas celebration had turned into.
And about forty years later, caricaturist Thomas Nast drew Santa Claus, and the image became complete: a red fur coat and headdress, a wide leather belt and sparkling black boots.
Russian Father Frost looks a little different, and his history goes back to Morozko from Slavic folklore. If Santa Claus is more like a gnome, then Father Frost is a giant, a hero who patrols his possessions, freezes rivers and lakes with ice, and at the same time gives gifts to children. His downside is that he often asks him to perform something for himself. Not out of greed - the soul just asks. But for the voiceless, legless, and suffering from sclerosis, everything pays off in the fact that our Grandfather has a Snow Maiden - she will not only give gifts, but can also kiss.
Where was Santa Claus born?
The modern image of the good-natured, fat Santa Claus appeared in the United States relatively recently, on Christmas Day 1822. It was then that Clement Clarke Moore wrote the poem “The Coming of St. Nicholas,” in which the Saint appeared as a cheerful and cheerful elf with a round, tight belly, indicating a passion for delicious food, and with a smoking pipe. As a result of his reincarnation, Saint Nicholas got off the donkey, acquired eight deer, and had a bag of gifts in his hands.
Santa Claus- the legendary hero of Christmas, a kind old man who brings gifts to children on Christmas Day Christmas And New Year. As a rule, he is depicted as a cheerful, plump grandfather with a white beard, dressed in a red caftan bordered with white. He flies through the air on a sleigh full of toys and pulled by eight reindeer. It is said that on Christmas Eve, Santa (also St. Nicholas or St. Nick) enters homes through the chimney and places gifts under the Christmas tree and in the stockings of all children who have behaved well throughout the year. Although the familiar image of Santa Claus is a North American invention of the 19th century, it still has ancient European roots and has had a major influence on Christmas celebrations around the world.
Origin of the legend.
In history, Saint Nicholas first appears in Christian legends, in which he is idolized for rescuing sailors marooned during a storm, protecting children and giving generous gifts to the poor. Although the authenticity of many stories about St. Nicholas is questionable (they say, for example, how he once brought a bag of gold to a poor family by throwing it through a window), his legend spread throughout Europe, giving him the image of a hero who gave gifts to children. The Christian Saint Nicholas was changed or transformed into various pagan images, such as the Italian Befana, or the German Berchta. The saint was called Sankt Nikolaus in Germany and Sanct Herr Nicholas or Sinter Klaas in Holland. In these countries, Saint Nicholas was sometimes depicted galloping across the sky on a horse. He appeared in the robes of a bishop and was at times accompanied by Black Peter, an elf who was supposed to spank naughty children. The celebration of St. Nicholas Day, the day when people exchanged gifts, usually took place on December 6th. After the Reformation, German Protestants recognized the veneration of the son of Christ and created their own day of celebration for him - December 25. As the tradition spread widely, it began to be closely associated with Christmas.
American origin.
American Santa Claus got its inspiration and name from the Danish legend of Sinter Klaas, which the founders of New York brought with them in the 17th century. The name Santa Claus first appeared in the American press as St. AClaus, and the famous writer Washington Irving became the first to tell the detailed story of the Danish Saint Nicholas. In his History of New York, published in 1809 under the pseudonym of Diedrich Knickerbocker, Irving described the appearance of the Saint on horseback, accompanied by Black Peter, every year on the eve of St. Nicholas Day. This Danish-American image of Saint Nick became fully national to the American people in 1823 with the publication of Clement Clarke Moore's poem "A Visit From Saint Nicholas" better known as "The Night Before Christmas". Moore added details such as the names of the reindeer, Santa's laughter, nods and winks, and described the way in which Santa, like an elf, came back from the chimney (Moore's interpretation was not based on his own head, but by reference to Irving's 1809 work).
Our New Year We cannot imagine without the kind Father Frost and his granddaughter Snegurochka. Not a single Western Christmas (Europe, England, USA and others) is complete without the most important character - Santa Claus. But who is this kind-hearted gift-giver? This real character or fictitious? Why was he called that and where does he live? I will try to answer all these questions for you today. Santa Claus I can definitely say that Santa Claus is quite real person who lived in ancient times. True, his name was different, he looked different, and he was born not in Lapland, as is commonly believed, but in the town of Myra Lycia in 253 AD, in modern Turkey. And then his name was Saint Nicholas. He was a simple bishop who was ready to accept death for his faith and always fought for good.
There were legends that Saint Nicholas himself was very wealthy, but not greedy. He helped all the unfortunate and poor, at night he quietly threw coins into their shoes, which they left at the doors, and placed them on the windows delicious pies. So Saint Nicholas became the children's favorite. However, merchants, bakers, prisoners and sailors also chose him as their patron and saint.
But how did it become a symbol of Christmas? St. Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 6th. In the 10th century cathedral In the German city of Cologne, students of a Christian school began to be distributed pastries and fruits on this day. Very quickly this tradition became widespread in other cities and countries. Remembering the legend, people began to hang special holiday stockings or shoes at night so that Nicholas would place his gifts there.
It is generally accepted that the Saint, who enters houses at night and descends the chimney, brings gifts to obedient children, and rods to mischievous children, naughty children and pranksters. Therefore, long before the holiday, children try to behave well, and parents, if they behave badly, immediately remind them that they can receive rods as a gift. Sometimes, even along with gifts, children are given small twigs.
How did Saint Nicholas become Santa Claus? This character came to the USA from Holland in the 17th century. In 1626, a frigate of several Dutch ships arrived in New World. On the bow of the main ship “Goede Vrove” stood the figure of Nicholas, who, as I already said, was also the patron saint of sailors.
The sailors bought land from the indigenous people of America - the Indians - for $24 and gave the settlement the name “New Amsterdam”. Today this “village” has become the most big city USA and one of the most famous cities in the world - New York. The Dutch removed the saint’s figurine from the ship and transferred it to main square, so that Nikolai defends the village.
Only the Indians and new residents spoke some kind of their own language, and not English. They could not clearly pronounce the name of the saint and the phrase sounded like “Sinter Klas”, then it was transformed into “Santa Klas”, and over time into the familiar “Santa Claus”. This is how Saint Nicholas miraculously transformed into Santa Claus, who delivers gifts home on Christmas Eve.
However, the story of Santa Claus's transformation does not end there. Clement Clarke Moore's poem The Parish of St. Nicholas, published on Christmas Eve 1822, became important stage reincarnation. 20 quatrains describe a child’s meeting with Santa Claus, who brought him gifts. In the poem, practically nothing remained of the former saint; he was completely devoid of rigor and seriousness. 
Santa on a Sleigh By K. Moore, Santa is a cheerful, cheerful elf with a pipe in his mouth and a round belly. As a result of this metamorphosis, Nicholas forever lost his episcopal appearance and switched to a team of reindeer. In 1823, the poem "The Night Before Christmas" listed the names of Santa's 8 reindeer:
- Blixem (Lightning)
- Dunder (Dumb)
- Cupid (Cupid)
- Comet (Comet)
- Vixen (Vicious)
- Prancer (Prancing)
- Dancer (Dancer)
- Dasher (Awesome)
It was not until 1939 that the ninth reindeer, Rudolph, appeared with a large and shiny reddish nose. Rudolph Meanwhile, illustrator Thomas Nast refined the image of Santa Claus in detail in 1860-1880. in Harper's magazine. Santa now has such irreplaceable attributes as a list of good and bad children, the North Pole. But this is not the end of the transformation.
Klaus, completely devoid of a holy halo, was dressed up in all sorts of colorful clothes. But in 1931, the famous brand Coca Cola launched an advertising campaign, the face of which was Santa Claus. Haddon Sundblom, an American artist, depicted a white-bearded, good-natured old man in red and white clothes and holding a soda in his hands.
As a result, Santa Claus acquired the image that we can all see today. This is a plump, cheerful old man delivering gifts on Christmas night. He must have a red jacket or short fur coat, a white beard, a red hat and trousers with white trim. Santa Claus rides on a sleigh pulled by 9 reindeer and brimming with gifts for obedient children around the world.
In the UK it is usually called “Father Christmas”, which means “Father Christmas”. But our Russian Father Frost has nothing to do with Saint Nicholas. Our Grandfather Frost is a folklore ritual character who lives in the forest or, as today is believed, his residence is in Veliky Ustyug. Winter is his wife. Together they rule the earth from November to March. In very old fairy tales he is sometimes called Morozko or Grandfather Treskun.
Where does Santa Claus live today?
The closest relative of Father Frost is Yolupukki, who lives in Lapland, where Santa Claus also lives. Since 1984, by decision of the UN, Lapland was officially proclaimed the Land of Father Frost. Santa's residence is also located here, where he lives with the gnomes and elves all year round. This is where children from all over the world write letters of wishes to: Arctic Circle, 96 930, Finland or on the website: santamail.com.
The Finnish government elevated Santa Claus to a cult status, built him a house on the slope of Mount Korvatunturi, made advertising, created a website and announced his email address to the whole world. It is Jolupukki from Lapland (Finland) who receives the most letters every day from adults and children from all over the world.
Every year on December 24 at noon, he rides his reindeer to the oldest Finnish town of Turku, accompanied by a tontu, his young assistants - girls and boys in red overalls and caps. Here, from the city council building, the arrival of Christmas is announced and New Year's songs are sung.
But thanks to American advertising and persistence, Western Santa Claus gradually replaced the English Father Christmas, the Finnish Jolupukki, and the French Father Christmas. And even our beloved and dear Grandfather Frost. I will say even more, the Turks erected a monument to St. Nicholas in the city of Demra, but it is not a bishop who stands on the pedestal, but a cheerful bearded man with a huge bag of gifts!
However, apparently, these are not final changes in the image of the saint. For example, in Israel, where religious traditions, Christmas is not celebrated. And if you want to buy Christmas cards or other accessories there, you will have a hard time finding them.
But that’s why they are Jews - they will find a way out of any situation! On the shelves of Israeli stores on Christmas Eve, postcards with the image of Santa Claus, wearing a Jewish kippah instead of the traditional red cap, began to appear on his head. Not on postcards yet holiday greetings, but something tells me: Tolya will still be there!
Waking up on New Year's or Christmas morning, the first thing kids all over the world do is rush to the decorated Christmas tree or festive stockings hanging by the fireplace to find gifts there with a joyful squeal...
What does Santa Claus look like, what country does he live in, does he have a family? These questions concern not only children, but also adults who wholeheartedly want to continue to believe in a beautiful New Year's fairy tale.
Who really was Saint Nicholas?
It is interesting to know that the prototype of the current Santa Claus was a real one. historical character. nicknamed Myra, was actually a Christian bishop originally from the city of Myra in Lycia (modern Türkiye). He lived in the 4th century and became famous for his charity and good deeds.
There are many legends about him. So, having learned that one of the residents of the city was so impoverished that he was going to sell his three daughters to a brothel, Saint Nicholas secretly threw three bags full of gold at night into the window of this man’s house. According to another belief, he miraculously revived three children who had been killed and imprisoned in a barrel. Therefore, he is considered the protector of children, the patron of the lost and innocent, and also protects travelers and sailors on their journeys.
In Russia this saint is also very revered. He is called the Pleasant, or the Wonderworker.
Appearance of Saint Nicholas
Having studied the relics of St. Nicholas with the permission of the Vatican, British scientists used computer technology to recreate the appearance of this saint. Thanks to them, it became known reliably what the real “Santa Claus” looks like.
Saint Nicholas was short - 168 centimeters, had olive skin, a short gray beard, dark brown eyes and not much common features with modern fairy-tale hero bringing Christmas gifts...
Why does Santa Claus bring gifts at Christmas?
Santa Claus did not immediately become a Christmas character. Initially, in Europe, gifts were given to children on December 6 - the day of veneration of St. Nicholas. However, during the Reformation this tradition underwent changes. The baby Christ began to be considered the character giving gifts to children, and the holiday when this happened was moved to Catholic Christmas Eve.
After the victory of the Counter-Reformation, Saint Nicholas again began to bring gifts to children, but still at Christmas, at the end of December. Although, for example, in the Netherlands this saint (here his name is Sinterklaas) sometimes delights children with surprises on both holidays.
History of Santa Claus in America
The English Puritans, who were the first to explore the North American continent, did not celebrate Christmas holidays at all. The history of Santa Claus in these lands begins in the mid-17th century, when the settlement of New Amsterdam (which later became New York) was founded by Dutch colonists.
In the early 19th century, Washington Irving wrote a History of New York, in which he mentioned the custom of honoring St. Nicholas in New Amsterdam. In development of this theme, 14 years later, the book “The Night Before Christmas, or the Visit of St. Nicholas” was published from the pen of Clement Moore. In it, he first described what Santa Claus looks like, how he rides around the sky and what happens when he visits houses with gifts on Christmas Eve.
This poem significantly influenced the idea of Santa Claus throughout the English-speaking world. And today it is one of America's most beloved Christmas tales.
It was from this time that the image of a character giving gifts to children finally ceased to be associated with the saint.
What does Santa Claus look like?
In the work of Clement Moore, Santa Claus appears as a cheerful elf with a thick belly, smoking a pipe and loving to eat. Cartoonist Thomas Nast was the first to fulfill the desire of adults and children to know what this man looks like. For twenty-four years he portrayed Santa Claus on the Christmas cover of the weekly publication Harpers Weekly, which was very popular. However, Nast's Santa Claus was black and white, although the fur coat, wide belt, headdress, and sparkling boots were almost the same as we are used to seeing them now.
The fairy-tale grandfather's fur coat was colored red at the end of the 19th century by publisher Louis Prang, who was the first in America to produce color lithographic Christmas cards.
In 1930, the American Coca-Cola company, wanting their drinks to be equally popular in both winter and summer, included Santa Claus in their advertising campaign. The work was commissioned to Chicago artist Haddon Sundblom. For thirty years, he created images of a “Christmas grandfather” who brings gifts to children. The prototype of Santa Claus, now known throughout the world, was the artist’s friend and neighbor, Lou Prentice.
People liked the images where Santa Claus no longer looked like an elf, but like a kind, smiling giant. Rudolph, the new, ninth reindeer in Santa's sleigh, invented by the artist, was also well received.
Does Santa Claus have a family?
You can often hear a question that haunts many: “Does Santa Claus’s family exist, or does “Christmas Grandfather” live alone?”
The answer is shrouded in mystery. According to classical Catholic tradition, the “historical” Santa Claus, that is, Saint Nicholas, was a clergyman, that is, he definitely did not have a family. But as for the current fairy-tale character, it is not at all ruled out that he may well be in a happy marriage.
According to some sources, information about Mrs. Claus first appeared on the pages of the American magazine "Harper" in 1881. According to another version, this lady was invented eight years later by the writer Katherine Lee Bates, who dedicated a funny song to her.
One way or another, but, according to the most common version, Santa Claus’s wife is an ordinary human woman. Her “fairytale age” is about sixty years. No one knows the real name of Mrs. Claus - some sources call her Goody, others - Wilhelmina, others - Jessica... She is plump, cheerful and very sociable, wears a red dress almost all the time, because she adores this color, puts on glasses, and also twists gray hair in a bun at the back of the head. She often bakes delicious buns and loves to watch how the elves - Santa Claus's faithful assistants - make toys for children's gifts. They say that once, when Santa Claus became very ill just before the Christmas holidays, Mrs. Claus put on his fur coat, put on a fake beard and went to deliver gifts for the kids herself.
Where does Santa Claus live?
The cold "land of Santa Claus" - Lapland, the kingdom of eternal snow and ice - is actually the northern province of Finland. However, the residence of the “Christmas grandfather” actually exists there! It is located in the provincial capital - Rovaniemi.
A kind gray-bearded gentleman in red receives guests here all year round. From the central Santa Claus post office you can send a postcard to any corner of the world. And the holiday dreams of adults and children come to life in the fabulous Santa Park and Christmas Village.
Santa Claus and Father Frost
The image of Santa Claus, so popular in television programs and advertising, does not leave our screens and store windows in December and January. Often, children simply identify Santa Claus with the original Slavic Grandfather Frost. However, in addition to the fact that on winter holidays both of these fairy tale character They bring gifts to the kids; they don’t have as much in common as it might seem at first glance.
So what is the difference between Santa Claus and Father Frost? First of all, because the latter has nothing to do with Saint Nicholas. The history of our Santa Claus goes back to folklore Eastern Slavs. There he is presented in the form of a fairy-tale hero, a giant who binds rivers and lakes with frost and ice.
Over time, the image of Frost changed. From a formidable, stern character, he gradually turned into a kind and fair Grandfather, who gave gifts to children. He is traditionally accompanied by his granddaughter, the sweet and beloved Snow Maiden.
The image of Santa Claus
Externally, Santa Claus also looks different - completely different from what Santa Claus looks like. The photo below allows you to fully imagine these differences.
Grandfather Frost is powerful and strong, of impressive height, and wears a thick white beard. He is dressed in a long fur coat that reaches to the ground, wears a boyar's cap on his head, and boots on his feet. He doesn't wear glasses. Unlike Santa Claus, Father Frost's vehicle is not fairy-tale reindeer, but a Russian horse troika. It penetrates into houses not through the fireplace at all, but in an inexplicable magical way inherent in a magical creature. And he never puts gifts in a sock, preferring to hide them under the branches of the tree.
The fact that these are different does not in any way mean that some of them are better and some are worse. Just don’t forget that in winter holidays Along with the world-famous Santa Claus, our Grandfather Frost also majestically walks through his domain, easily carrying a huge bag of gifts on his back...