While the name Santa Claus is known, used and loved by many, not only in Australia but across the globe, the man or myth truly was someone who gave much to others.
Although known by another name at the time, Santa Claus came to be in the 4th century when he was St Nicholas.
Eventually rising to be the patron saint of children, he is more commonly known for his association with the festival of Christmas and his western feast day of 6 December.
Coming from what is now modern day Turkey, St Nicholas is assumed to have been the bishop of Myra from the limited historical documentation available.
History notes that during the persecution of Christians during the rule of Roman emperor Diocletian, St Nicholas was most like imprisoned and tortured but released when Constantine the Great became ruler.
Originally buried in his church in Myra, during the 6th century Italian sailors stole what are said to be his remains from Myra and took them to Bari, Italy. This greatly increased his popularity around the world.
To this day, St Nicholas’ remains are enshrined in the 11th century basilica San Nicola in Bari.
Remembered for his generosity and giving to others during times of need, this carried on long after his death and became the spirit of Christmas.
So where did the symbolism of the man in the big red suit come from?
Well, the name Santa Claus dates back to the Dutch word Sinterklaas, where the tradition was taken to the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam, now New York City, and taken on by the English speaking.
As the legend of Santa Claus grew, it combined with the Nordic tale of a kind old magician who rewarded good behaving children with presents.
While the Dutch continued to give presents on St Nicholas’ feast day, the rest of the world cottoned on and began to combine the Christian celebration with the gifting of presents on 25 December.
In the 1860s, cartoonist Thomas Nast is said to have drawn the first depiction of Santa Claus for Harper’s Weekly based on the poem ’Twas the Night Before Christmas’.
From there, its actually Coca Cola who took the traditional celebration and used Santa Claus in an advertising campaign, thus giving us the symbol and white-bearded man dressed in a red suit with a black belt and white fur trim, black boots, and a soft red cap.
Thanks must go to illustrator Haddon Sundblum who designed the figured in 1931.
