Winter is a time of happiness and joy, time when people who celebrate different holidays, of which the most famous are Christmas and New Year. Regardless of how people in Europe mark these holidays, there are always common elements, such as Christmas tree, GIFTS, Christmas carols, and of course-Santa Clause.
It is probable that there is no more favorite character than Santa Claus. Santa Claus, is a fictional character that brings presents for children on a Christmas Eve and Christmas (in western culture) or for New Year (in eastern European states). Versions and names of this character vary among cultures, religions and peoples. It origin dates back to old religions of Germanic and Slavic people. Usual assumption of Santa Clause in the west is that he is an older bearded man dressed in red coat that flies around on sleds that are being dragged by reindeers with a bag filled with presents for good children. His home is located in the North Pole or in Lapland. Did you ever thought about his role and meaning for children? You will get an answer to this question if you look at 10 things about Santa Clause that you need to know.
10FACT No 10
“The Norse God Odin” was an early forerunner to Santa. He gave good children gift´s and his legged horse, Sleipnir, could leap great distances.
09FACT No 9
“A History of New York” was a satirical book in 1809 that first introduced the idea of Santa climbing down chimneys.
08FACT No 8
Rudolph the Reindeer was originally called Rollo and then Reginald. The name Rudolph was popularized at 1939 by writer Robert May.
07FACT No 7
According to Canadian immigration, Santa´s nationality is Canadian, as he lives at the North Pole. The Dutch say he lives in a castle in Spain and travels by steamboat.
06FACT No 6
The largest cathering of Santa Clauses comprised of 13.000 participants in Derry city, Ireland, in 2007. The most letters to Santa collected during the ten mas season, was 1.06 million, in Canada, in 2006.
05FACT No 5
Chocolate gold coins are given to commemorate St Nicholas giving bags of gold to the poor.
04FACT No 4
Some historians believe that St Nicholas never existed and was a legend spawned from tales of Poseidon or Neptune. He reportedly died around 350 AD.
03FACT No 3
It is often thought that Coca-Cola created Santa´s image in 1931. However Thomas Nast, a cartoonist, drew Santa as we know him today back in the 1860s.
02FACT No 2
Norwegian scientists have hypothesized as to the cause of Rudolph´s red nose. They believe it to be a parasitic infection of his respiratory system.
01FACT No 1
St Nicholas´s miracles include giving life to three boys who had been chopped up by a butcher. He is patron Saint of Sailors, children, prisoners, wolves and Shopkeepers.
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