The most favorite children's heroes are Santa Claus and Snow Maiden. The history of the appearance of fairy-tale characters is very old and interesting.
Many people associate the kind Santa Claus with a red nose with the approaching New Year, but has it always been like this?
The first mentions of Santa Claus appeared at the beginning of the twentieth century in the Soviet Union. Up to this point, New Year's celebrations have been discouraged.
The Slavs also revered Father Frost, they presented him as a short peasant with a gray, light beard. The Slavs believed that it was Santa Claus who caused the crackling of branches in the forest. So the image of Santa Claus begins to be displayed in fairy tales, proverbs and sayings. At the height of winter, the Slavs left small gifts and gifts so that the next year would be successful. Most often, people baked pancakes every year at a certain time, as if luring the owner of the winter weather. The ancestor of Santa Claus was the well-known Morozko. It is generally accepted that Santa Claus has a harsh character, but fair and honest.
According to another version, Santa Claus is a general who saved Russia several times during the war from the enemy. In the hostilities that took place in winter, he helped the Russian soldiers and created conditions (heavy snow, frost) that were difficult for the enemy to endure.
Santa Claus began to appear more often in fairy tales in the middle of the nineteenth century. But he was not associated with the Christmas holidays. Then there were attempts to combine these two New Year's images.
Santa Claus and Christianity
At first, representatives of Christianity did not approve of the appearance of Santa Claus, because they considered him a representative of paganism. But after a while he was still accepted as a kind character.
In which city does Santa Claus live? There are several versions.
In Russia, they believe that the birthplace of Santa Claus is the city of Arkhangelsk, according to other versions - Veliky Ustyug, Lapland.
Despite the fact that there are many versions, the post office and the house of Father Frost in Arkhangelsk were created.
Each country has its own image of Santa Claus, for example, in Belarus, Santa Claus appears on a holiday in a white robe, and in Russia in red or blue.
At the moment, the image of Santa Claus has become very popular, not only fairy tales are devoted to him, but also stamps, films, postcards, statues.
Traditionally, every child and adult can write and send a letter to Santa Claus, in which he will state his wishes.
And finally, it must be said that the image of Santa Claus is complemented by the Snow Maiden - his granddaughter. Thus, Santa Claus has become an integral symbol of the New Year, Christmas tree and gifts, winter, cold weather.
