Santa Claus is a favorite and familiar character of the New Year holidays. This is a kind grandfather with a beard and a big bag of gifts. Dressed in a blue, blue, red or white fur coat.
Who is Santa Claus?
The origins of the meaning of this character are lost in the mists of time, but initially "kind Santa Claus" was not kind. Among the pagan early Slavic deities was the patron saint of cold and cold. Then it was customary to bring gifts to him, so that he would save people from frost, grant good weather.
In folklore and old fairy tales, Morozko or Ded Studenets is found. He did not give gifts either, but he was a powerful and fair character.
The modern interpretation of the New Year's giver refers to St. Nicholas. On December 19, children are used to receiving sweets for this holiday. Nikolai was a legendary person - he lived in the Mediterranean, came from a wealthy family. He always helped the poor, and after his death he was canonized. According to legend, he threw gold into the chimney of a house in a bag of gold; there lived a family who simply perished from poverty. In the morning, the children found gold in socks that were drying near the stove.
Later, a western Christmas character appeared - Santa Claus. Its prototype in various mythologies was gnomes, wood elves. The version with a chimney and gifts is popular in the West - Santa Claus became a kind of marketing ploy in the 1930s. It was a new symbol of a happy time.
Historians associate the appearance of the image of a generous donor with the end of the Great Depression - it was necessary to raise the mood of the people, to make the holiday truly joyful.
Santa Claus in Russia
It all started with Grandfather Nicholas, who gave gifts and sweets to children. In the 19th century, during the reign of Alexander Nikolaevich, the fabulous Morozko and Old Ruprecht or Grandfather Ruprecht appeared. The last character was of German origin. It was in the 19th century that the patron saint of winter and frost ceased to be terrible, he turned into a generous and kind wizard.
In the 20s of the last century, Santa Claus and the Christmas tree, as a symbol of the New Year's celebration, were banned, as ideologically harmful. The usual symbols of the holiday returned in 1935, and 2 years later the Snow Maiden joined Grandfather Frost.
The benevolent character is loved not only by children, but also by adults. They write letters to the modern Grandfather Frost, ask for gifts or the fulfillment of desires. This tradition appeared in domestic territories in the 50-60s of the twentieth century.
Santa Claus is a collective image, and rather artificially created than having certain mythological roots. However, the tradition of giving gifts connects him, like Santa Claus, with St. Nicholas.
