subject: A History Of Santa Claus [print this page] Perhaps one of the most well-known and beloved (fictional but dont tell the kids) characters in modern culture is Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas or Father Christmas as he is often known. The true epitome of jolliness, anyone can recognise him; but how did he become known in popular culture and why does he look the way he does? This article will explore such questions below
The first mention of a Santa-like figure was in the 4th Century AD, with Saint Nicholas of Myra. Saint Nicholas was renowned for his generosity and empathy for the impoverished and poor, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him. It is from his name that we have derived the name today Sinterklaas, quickly became Santa Claus.
Father Christmas, the first common perception of the modern Santa figure, was first depicted in the 17th century, where he was described as a jolly, portly, bearded man full of Christmas tree and dressed in a long green fur-lined robe. This figure was later used as the ghost of Christmas present in Charles Dickens novel, A Christmas Carol.
In the 19th century, another figure appeared from Dutch folklore that of Tomte, a short, bearded man that would deliver presents whilst dressed in grey clothes and a red hat.
One of the first people to design and define Santas modern image was an American cartoonist, Thomas Nast, in 1863. Most people believe that it was the Coca-Cola corporation that invented the figure that we have seen today; however this is purely an urban legend and the company themselves have acknowledged that the figure seen in their advertising had already existed before they did.
It is also believed that Nast influenced a number of other popular factors in the legend of Santa Claus, most notably that of him living in the North Pole. Nast was also famous for creating the images of other popular figures in American culture, such as the Democrat Donkey, Republican Elephant and Uncle Sam.
This jolly figure dressed in red and white quickly became recognised as Santa, further cemented by charities such as the Salvation Army dressing in this manner to raise money. To this day, there have been countless numbers of films about (or at least featuring) Santa Claus, and he remains a common figure in Christmas adverting.
Whether you still believe in Santa or not, you simply cannot deny that he has a major impact on popular culture and Christmas as we know it today.
