SANTA CLAUS – THE MODERN SYMBOL OF CHRISTMAS
What could be more “Christmas” – other than Jesus Christ and the real meaning of the celebration – than Santa Claus? Coca-Cola?
▼Image Source: www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/
What could be more “Christmas” – other than Jesus Christ and the real meaning of the celebration – than Santa Claus? Coca-Cola?
▼Image Source: www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/
We all know the many stories and legends about Santa Claus, including the story about the classic image of a happy and plump Santa that we all know today came in part from Coca-Cola ads drawn in 1931 by illustrator Haddon Sundblom.
No need to repeat. I decided this year to take a more in-depth look.
The Santa Claus persona has many names. I know this because Yahoo.search Artificial Intelligence tells me so.
Saint Nicholas - The historical figure known for gift-giving, celebrated on December 6.
Kris Kringle - A name derived from the German "Christkind," often associated with Santa in the U.S.
Father Christmas - A traditional figure in the UK representing the spirit of Christmas.
Sinterklaas - The Dutch version of Santa, celebrated on December 5 with gift-giving.
Père Noël - The French counterpart of Santa Claus, who brings gifts on Christmas Eve.
Ded Moroz - The Russian "Grandfather Frost," who delivers gifts during New Year celebrations.
Joulupukki - The Finnish "Yule Goat," who brings gifts and is often depicted as Santa.
Babbo Natale - The Italian version of Santa Claus, who delivers gifts on Christmas Eve.
Weihnachtsmann - The German "Christmas Man," who is similar to Santa Claus.
Tió de Nadal - A Catalan tradition involving a log that "poops" out gifts during Christmas.
Other websites provide even more monikers for the old elf. The one thing in common is that all of them list Ded Moroz, who brings gifts, not on Christmas Eve, but during New Year celebrations.
WHO IS THIS DED MOROZ?
No need to repeat. I decided this year to take a more in-depth look.
The Santa Claus persona has many names. I know this because Yahoo.search Artificial Intelligence tells me so.
Saint Nicholas - The historical figure known for gift-giving, celebrated on December 6.
Kris Kringle - A name derived from the German "Christkind," often associated with Santa in the U.S.
Father Christmas - A traditional figure in the UK representing the spirit of Christmas.
Sinterklaas - The Dutch version of Santa, celebrated on December 5 with gift-giving.
Père Noël - The French counterpart of Santa Claus, who brings gifts on Christmas Eve.
Ded Moroz - The Russian "Grandfather Frost," who delivers gifts during New Year celebrations.
Joulupukki - The Finnish "Yule Goat," who brings gifts and is often depicted as Santa.
Babbo Natale - The Italian version of Santa Claus, who delivers gifts on Christmas Eve.
Weihnachtsmann - The German "Christmas Man," who is similar to Santa Claus.
Tió de Nadal - A Catalan tradition involving a log that "poops" out gifts during Christmas.
Other websites provide even more monikers for the old elf. The one thing in common is that all of them list Ded Moroz, who brings gifts, not on Christmas Eve, but during New Year celebrations.
WHO IS THIS DED MOROZ?
To an English speaker, Ded Moroz sounds reminiscently like something related to Day of the Dead or All Souls day, but it translates to English as “Father Frost.” Santa’s Russian alter ego is depicted as a tall, bearded man dressed in a long, fur-lined coat, most often blue but also red or white, and wears a semi-round fur hat and valenki on his feet. He also walks with a magic stick.
He travels in a troika, a traditional Russian sleigh pulled by horses and is often accompanied by his granddaughter and helper, Snegurochka, the Snow Maiden.
Image Source: www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends
He travels in a troika, a traditional Russian sleigh pulled by horses and is often accompanied by his granddaughter and helper, Snegurochka, the Snow Maiden.
Image Source: www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends
This legendary Slavic character and his companion make the rounds every New Year’s Eve to bring gifts to children.
The similarities between Santa Claus and Ded Moroz are, in part, because of the modern world-wide melding of traditions, but there are noticeable differences which makes this eastern icon different from his western counterpart.
ORIGINS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF DED MOROZ
Pre-dating Christianity, Ded Moroz was associated with winter and New Year celebrations in Slavic countries. While his character has evolved considerably since the beginning of the 19th century, he was originally considered the wizard, or demon, of winter called Morozko or King Frost, the personification of Winter. He was associated with frost and cold, and was believed to be a powerful spirt who could bring both the beauty and harshness of winter.
According to Russia Info Centre, the ancient Morozko was “a powerful hero and smith who chained water with his iron frosts.” Russian folk tales tell of people “feeding” Morozko oatmeal kissel or kutya (boiled rice with raisins and honey) so he would not freeze their plants. Other stories tell how he demanded offerings to protect families during brutal winters.
“The darker side of Ded Moroz is also made apparent in Nikolai Nekrasov’s (1886) poem “Moroz – Red Nose;” a tale telling of Ded Moroz killing a peasant widow and orphaning her children. This cruel wizard of winter was also capable in the past of kidnapping children, and only returning them when their parents provided him with gifts.” www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends
He was a fearsome frost spirit who demanded offerings to protect families during brutal winters. In the 1920s, Soviet authorities banned him for being too "religious," but by 1935, they brought him back, rebranding him as a jolly, secular New Year’s figure. By 1937, Ded Moroz was the life of the New Year’s party, fitting perfectly into Soviet ideology.
He was popularized in Russian culture through fairy tales and stories in which he often challenges characters to test their virtue and resilience. The theme of such appearances in literature is frequently associated with transformation and redemption. Today our modern Ded Moroz is more akin to the kind and gentle Santa Claus. But he is also is ready to punish those who are mean or lazy.
The similarities between Santa Claus and Ded Moroz are, in part, because of the modern world-wide melding of traditions, but there are noticeable differences which makes this eastern icon different from his western counterpart.
ORIGINS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF DED MOROZ
Pre-dating Christianity, Ded Moroz was associated with winter and New Year celebrations in Slavic countries. While his character has evolved considerably since the beginning of the 19th century, he was originally considered the wizard, or demon, of winter called Morozko or King Frost, the personification of Winter. He was associated with frost and cold, and was believed to be a powerful spirt who could bring both the beauty and harshness of winter.
According to Russia Info Centre, the ancient Morozko was “a powerful hero and smith who chained water with his iron frosts.” Russian folk tales tell of people “feeding” Morozko oatmeal kissel or kutya (boiled rice with raisins and honey) so he would not freeze their plants. Other stories tell how he demanded offerings to protect families during brutal winters.
“The darker side of Ded Moroz is also made apparent in Nikolai Nekrasov’s (1886) poem “Moroz – Red Nose;” a tale telling of Ded Moroz killing a peasant widow and orphaning her children. This cruel wizard of winter was also capable in the past of kidnapping children, and only returning them when their parents provided him with gifts.” www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends
He was a fearsome frost spirit who demanded offerings to protect families during brutal winters. In the 1920s, Soviet authorities banned him for being too "religious," but by 1935, they brought him back, rebranding him as a jolly, secular New Year’s figure. By 1937, Ded Moroz was the life of the New Year’s party, fitting perfectly into Soviet ideology.
He was popularized in Russian culture through fairy tales and stories in which he often challenges characters to test their virtue and resilience. The theme of such appearances in literature is frequently associated with transformation and redemption. Today our modern Ded Moroz is more akin to the kind and gentle Santa Claus. But he is also is ready to punish those who are mean or lazy.
ince he reformed and became a more kindly person during his evolution, Russian children provided him with a birthday of November 18. His home base is Veliky Ustyug, Vologda Region, Russia, and is often visited by children and friends of Father Frost.
The origins of his companion, Snegurochka -- a girl made of snow who comes to life -- are harder to pin down. Although touted as having roots in Slavic mythology, she doesn’t appear anywhere until her first appearance in Russian folklore in the 19th century. She was not depicted as a granddaughter or companion of Ded Molroz until the soviet period in the 20th century.
“In one version of the story, she is the daughter Весна, the mythological character associated with youth and springtime. She yearns for the companionship of mortal humans. She grows to like a shepherd named Lel, but her heart is unable to know love. Her mother takes pity and gives her this ability, but as soon as she falls in love, her heart warms and she melts.” This version of the story was made into the play The Snow Maiden by Alexksandr Ostrovsky in 1873."
Around the beginning in November, this holiday icon travels around Russia visiting children and acquaintances, although his most important night in New Year’s Eve. This is the night that traditionally, Ded Moroz and his companion Snegurochka put presents under the fir tree (New Year’s Tree) for children to discover in the morning.
DED MOROZ UNDER THE COMMUNISTS
At the beginning of the Soviet era, communist authorities banned Ded Moroz. However, the ban was lifted and he soon became a significant part of Soviet culture. Interestingly, the image of Ded Moroz took its current form during that time and became the main symbol of the New Year's holiday (Novy God) that replaced Christmas. Some Christmas traditions were revived following the famous letter by Pavel Postyshev, published in Pravda on 28 December 1935. Postyshev believed that the origins of the holiday, which were pre-Christian, were less important than the benefits it could bring to Soviet children. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ded_Moroz
A SHORT STORY OF KING FROST
(Text and Images reproduced from an article by Alicia McDermott - Updated 12 December, 2015 - Illustration for the story of King Frost. (1914) By V. Carrick. (Public Domain)
https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends-asia/)
“A popular tale begins with an angry stepmother who is tired of seeing and hearing her good-natured and unselfish stepdaughter, yet provides to every whim of her own daughter. One day the stepmother tells her husband to be rid of the young girl, saying: “Send her away, old man; send her away-anywhere so that my eyes shan't be plagued any longer by the sight of her, or my ears tormented by the sound of her voice. Send her out into the fields, and let the cutting frost do for her.”
The origins of his companion, Snegurochka -- a girl made of snow who comes to life -- are harder to pin down. Although touted as having roots in Slavic mythology, she doesn’t appear anywhere until her first appearance in Russian folklore in the 19th century. She was not depicted as a granddaughter or companion of Ded Molroz until the soviet period in the 20th century.
“In one version of the story, she is the daughter Весна, the mythological character associated with youth and springtime. She yearns for the companionship of mortal humans. She grows to like a shepherd named Lel, but her heart is unable to know love. Her mother takes pity and gives her this ability, but as soon as she falls in love, her heart warms and she melts.” This version of the story was made into the play The Snow Maiden by Alexksandr Ostrovsky in 1873."
Around the beginning in November, this holiday icon travels around Russia visiting children and acquaintances, although his most important night in New Year’s Eve. This is the night that traditionally, Ded Moroz and his companion Snegurochka put presents under the fir tree (New Year’s Tree) for children to discover in the morning.
DED MOROZ UNDER THE COMMUNISTS
At the beginning of the Soviet era, communist authorities banned Ded Moroz. However, the ban was lifted and he soon became a significant part of Soviet culture. Interestingly, the image of Ded Moroz took its current form during that time and became the main symbol of the New Year's holiday (Novy God) that replaced Christmas. Some Christmas traditions were revived following the famous letter by Pavel Postyshev, published in Pravda on 28 December 1935. Postyshev believed that the origins of the holiday, which were pre-Christian, were less important than the benefits it could bring to Soviet children. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ded_Moroz
A SHORT STORY OF KING FROST
(Text and Images reproduced from an article by Alicia McDermott - Updated 12 December, 2015 - Illustration for the story of King Frost. (1914) By V. Carrick. (Public Domain)
https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends-asia/)
“A popular tale begins with an angry stepmother who is tired of seeing and hearing her good-natured and unselfish stepdaughter, yet provides to every whim of her own daughter. One day the stepmother tells her husband to be rid of the young girl, saying: “Send her away, old man; send her away-anywhere so that my eyes shan't be plagued any longer by the sight of her, or my ears tormented by the sound of her voice. Send her out into the fields, and let the cutting frost do for her.”
The old man begged his wife to reconsider, but finding her unmovable, he agreed and took his daughter out to the sled. Not even providing her with a warm blanket, he left the girl with a kiss, before quickly returning to his home, daring not to look back and see his beloved daughter suffering.
The poor girl sat down beside a fir tree and began to weep quietly. Soon she heard a crackling noise and looked up to see King Frost standing beside her.
The poor girl sat down beside a fir tree and began to weep quietly. Soon she heard a crackling noise and looked up to see King Frost standing beside her.
'Well, maiden,' he snapped out, 'do you know who I am? I am King Frost, king of the red-noses.'
'All hail to you, great King!' answered the girl, in a gentle, trembling voice. 'Have you come to take me?'
'Are you warm, maiden?' he replied.
'Quite warm, King Frost,' she answered, though she shivered as she spoke.
King Frost repeated his question as he came ever closer to the young girl. The cold air and the crackling increased, yet the girl continued to reply “Still warm, O King."
King Frost took pity on the young girl for her gentle ways and respectful words, so he wrapped her in furs, covered her in blankets, and showered in her gifts of jewels, and a fine sleigh led by six white horses.
The next morning the angry stepmother told her husband that he should go to recover the dead body of his daughter. She was shocked when the old man returned with a large chest filled with riches, and his daughter, who was more beautiful than before and dressed in fine furs and a radiant silver and gold dress.
“Old man, yoke the horses at once into the sled, and take my daughter to the same field and leave her on the same spot exactly,” she ordered.
'All hail to you, great King!' answered the girl, in a gentle, trembling voice. 'Have you come to take me?'
'Are you warm, maiden?' he replied.
'Quite warm, King Frost,' she answered, though she shivered as she spoke.
King Frost repeated his question as he came ever closer to the young girl. The cold air and the crackling increased, yet the girl continued to reply “Still warm, O King."
King Frost took pity on the young girl for her gentle ways and respectful words, so he wrapped her in furs, covered her in blankets, and showered in her gifts of jewels, and a fine sleigh led by six white horses.
The next morning the angry stepmother told her husband that he should go to recover the dead body of his daughter. She was shocked when the old man returned with a large chest filled with riches, and his daughter, who was more beautiful than before and dressed in fine furs and a radiant silver and gold dress.
“Old man, yoke the horses at once into the sled, and take my daughter to the same field and leave her on the same spot exactly,” she ordered.
The woman’s daughter dropped herself by the fir tree and pouted. It was not long until the crackling sound began and King Frost appeared at the girl’s side.
“Are you warm, maiden?” He asked.
“What a blind old fool you must be to ask such a question!” she answered angrily. “Can't you see that my hands and feet are nearly frozen?”
Repulsed by the young woman’s words, King Frost got very angry, and cracking his fingers then gnashing his teeth, her froze her to death.
The stepmother grew impatient to see her daughter with the same riches as her despised stepdaughter, so she sent her husband to fetch the girl. One could only imagine her surprise and despair when he returned to the house with the frozen body of her beloved daughter.”
DED MOROZ TRIVIA
In November and December 2010, Ded Moroz was one of the candidates in the running for consideration as a mascot for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
You’ve come a long way, grandpa!
JUST SAYIN’
Sources:
https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends-asia/meet-father-frost-and-his-fairy-goddaughter-snow-maiden-magical-characters-winter-020655#:~:text=Elsewhere%2C%20December%201997,By%20Alicia%20McDermott
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/mythsandfolklore/2022/12/ded-moroz-and-snegurochka-russian-father-frost-and-snow-maiden/
https://thevlasta.substack.com/p/dedushka-moroz-and-his-skeletons
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ded_Moroz
https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/alkonost-and-gamayun-mythical-beings-slavic-folklore-004076
https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-general/why-christmas-held-25th-december-001161
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snegurochka
https://www.bing.com/search?q=who%20is%20%
https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/santa-s-horned-helper-fearsome-legend-krampus-christmas-punisher-004799
“Are you warm, maiden?” He asked.
“What a blind old fool you must be to ask such a question!” she answered angrily. “Can't you see that my hands and feet are nearly frozen?”
Repulsed by the young woman’s words, King Frost got very angry, and cracking his fingers then gnashing his teeth, her froze her to death.
The stepmother grew impatient to see her daughter with the same riches as her despised stepdaughter, so she sent her husband to fetch the girl. One could only imagine her surprise and despair when he returned to the house with the frozen body of her beloved daughter.”
DED MOROZ TRIVIA
In November and December 2010, Ded Moroz was one of the candidates in the running for consideration as a mascot for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
You’ve come a long way, grandpa!
JUST SAYIN’
Sources:
https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends-asia/meet-father-frost-and-his-fairy-goddaughter-snow-maiden-magical-characters-winter-020655#:~:text=Elsewhere%2C%20December%201997,By%20Alicia%20McDermott
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/mythsandfolklore/2022/12/ded-moroz-and-snegurochka-russian-father-frost-and-snow-maiden/
https://thevlasta.substack.com/p/dedushka-moroz-and-his-skeletons
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ded_Moroz
https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/alkonost-and-gamayun-mythical-beings-slavic-folklore-004076
https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-general/why-christmas-held-25th-december-001161
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snegurochka
https://www.bing.com/search?q=who%20is%20%
https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/santa-s-horned-helper-fearsome-legend-krampus-christmas-punisher-004799
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