Many are rightly annoyed by the character of "Santa Claus" - a beefy, ruddy creature, whose round bodies are hardly fitted by a red suit, laughing loudly, rushing through the sky on Christmas Eve on a reindeer team. Especially unpleasant for those who know that his name actually means "Saint Nicholas".
But such an image, mercilessly exploited in Coca-Cola advertising, was established thanks to American influence. In the old European tradition, Santa Claus looked exactly like St. Nicholas - a tall old man in episcopal vestments with a staff, who was accompanied by a young African who carried gifts (or rods for naughty children). Between this handsome bishop and the fat, red-faced "dwarf" there is a real cultural gulf.
In general, it is conditionally possible to divide the “gifts that bring” in Christian countries into three large teams. The first is directly connected with the name of St. Nicholas (Belgium and the Netherlands, Germany, Hungary). Another Western European tradition is “Christmas grandfathers” (France, England, Ireland, Italy, Catalonia). And the third gives the right to distribute gifts to Santa Clauses. Usually it has Slavic roots (Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Bulgaria, as well as Latvia, Romania, Moldova).
The Greeks (including the Cypriots) stand apart, in which the same character is identified with St. Basil the Great. Yes, yes, that's what they call it - "Agios Vasilis". In appearance, the modern "Vasily", however, is not too different from Santa Claus.
Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas is known as a donor who secretly helped the poor. It is not surprising that it was on his day (and not on the New Year) and on his behalf that gifts were given to children in Europe. The Reformation, which opposed the veneration of saints, forced the inhabitants of many European countries to make the infant Christ himself a character who gives gifts, and the day of presenting gifts was moved from December 6 to the period of Christmas fairs, that is, to December 24.
The Catholic Counter-Reformation again brought back the gifts of St. Nicholas to European children, but now they appeared at the end of December, at Christmas. However, in Belgium and the Netherlands, St. Nicholas-Sinterklaas still brings gifts on either December 5th, Christmas Day, or both.
American Santa
The Dutch colonists who founded the settlement of New Amsterdam in the 1650s, now known as New York, brought the image of St. Nicholas, the giver of gifts, to the New World. In 1823, Moore published "The Night Before Christmas, or the Visit of Saint Nicholas".
There was a speech about a certain character giving gifts to children - Santa Claus. This character, the "funny old man", quickly gained popularity. In 1863, an American artist working for Harper Weekly used Santa Claus as a gift-giving hero, first in a series of political cartoons and then in drawings for children.
And in 1931, the Coca-Cola Company launched an advertising campaign that featured Santa. The American Santa Claus has completely separated from his Christian prototype, turning into a grotesque, life-loving fat man.
Father Frost
Slavic Santa Claus has pagan roots, it is the personification of a cold, which can both freeze a person and generously bestow him (recall the fairy tale "Frost"). Russian literature of the 19th century endowed Moroz with the same features (the fairy tale "Moroz Ivanovich" by Odoevsky, "Frost, Red Nose" by Nekrasov).
For quite a long time, Frost had nothing to do with the New Year and Christmas. Only in the second half of the 19th century in Russia they decided to come up with their own original “Christmas grandfather”, who would give gifts to Russian children, like their Western peers.
Under Alexander II, there were attempts to call him "Saint Nicholas" or "Grandfather Nicholas" but they did not take root. Most likely, in Russia they simply could not perceive such a revered saint as Nicholas the Wonderworker as a Christmas character, while Santa Claus was much more neutral.
The Snow Maiden was presented by Ostrovsky
The Snow Maiden as a relative (in this case, a daughter) of Father Frost first appeared in the play The Snow Maiden by Ostrovsky (1873), created under the influence of Afanasyev's fairy tales. No special attention was paid to the play, but Rimsky-Korsakov's opera based on it (1882) was a great success. Gradually, the Snow Maiden became one of the Christmas characters, although she received the role of a constant companion and "granddaughter" of frost only in Soviet times.
After the revolution, Santa Claus, along with all Christmas traditions, was "abolished" on the eve of 1929 and returned to the Russian people only on the eve of 1936. This was due to the rethinking of Christmas paraphernalia in a new, "correct" way. In January 1937, Father Frost and the Snow Maiden greeted guests at a celebration in the Moscow House of Unions. Thus began the history of the Soviet Santa Claus.
It turns out that the modern Santa Claus is in many ways just as divorced from his short-lived Orthodox "youth" of the late 19th century and is also the fruit of another era, like Santa Claus.
But still, in the Russian Father Frost, much more of the traditional spirit is preserved (as in the European Sinterklaas) than in Santa Claus with a bottle of Coca-Cola.
The European Santa Claus has already taken root in Belarusian realities so much that few people think about how he differs from Father Frost. In the meantime, there are many differences!
1. Headdress
Santa Claus has a hat trimmed with fur. Santa Claus has a nightcap with a pom-pom.
2. Beard
Santa Claus has a long one, to the waist. Santa Claus has a short spade beard.
3. Outerwear
Santa Claus has a warm fur coat to the toes. Santa Claus has a short jacket.
4. Coat color
Santa Claus's fur coat can be red, blue and even white (colors associated with frost. - Ed). Santa Claus has only red.
5. Staff
Santa Claus holds a staff in his hands. Santa Claus has a bag with gifts in his hands.
6. Belt
Santa Claus has a white belt. Santa Claus has a belt with a buckle.
7. Shoes
Santa Claus has white felt boots. Santa Claus has black boots.
8. Glasses
Santa Claus has poor eyesight and wears glasses. Santa Claus sees well, so he does not have any glasses.
9. Vehicle
Classic Santa Claus walks. Modern - in a sleigh pulled by a trio of horses. Santa Claus rides in a cart pulled by reindeer.
10. Helpers
Grandfather Frost is helped by his granddaughter Snegurochka. Elves work for Santa Claus.
By the way, the Christian Saint Nicholas is considered the prototype of Santa Claus and Santa Claus. He lived a long time ago in the Turkish city of the World and was a good miracle worker and persecutor of evil, the patron of abducted and lost children. In Russia, Nikolai Ugodnik became one of the most beloved saints by the people. Ordinary peasants prayed to him for help if a cow fell ill, there was no rain for a long time, or some other misfortune happened. Gradually, St. Nicholas in Western countries began to be called in English - Santa Claus. But in Russia, the translation of the name of the saint was given a very peculiar one. The thing is that in the Soviet years, religious symbols were actively crowded out and, according to the decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Russia in 1937, the saint was replaced by a character named Santa Claus () NEW YEAR SHOPPING
By the way, the Christian Saint Nicholas is considered the prototype of Santa Claus and Santa Claus. He lived a long time ago in the Turkish city of Mira and was a good miracle worker and a persecutor of evil, a patron of abducted and lost children. In Russia, Nikolai Ugodnik became one of the most beloved saints by the people. Ordinary peasants prayed to him for help if a cow fell ill, there was no rain for a long time, or some other misfortune happened. Gradually, St. Nicholas in Western countries began to be called in English - Santa Claus. But in Russia, the translation of the name of the saint was given a very peculiar one. The thing is that in the Soviet years, religious symbols were actively crowded out and, according to the decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Russia in 1937, the saint was replaced by a character named Santa Claus ()
NEW YEAR SHOPPING Gift sets, trips to hot countries, plastic windows, building materials… Everything your heart desires! And all this at a discount! Look for bargains
NEW YEAR SHOPPING
Gift sets, trips to hot countries, plastic windows, building materials… Everything your heart desires! And all this at a discount! Look for bargains
What is the difference between Santa Claus and Santa Claus? You can often hear that Santa Claus and Santa Claus are one and the same. However, Santa Claus has several important differences from Santa Claus, which is due to historical, literary, and often geographical, as well as climatic factors. So, what are the external differences between Santa Claus and Santa! (photo 1) 1. The color of the clothes! - Santa Claus has a long blue sheepskin coat, he is belted with a sash, he has a hat on his head, boots on his feet, mittens on his hands, a staff in his hands. - Santa has a red jacket and a belt, a cap and boots, gloves, and a pipe in his hands. Santa Claus can also be in red, but at the same time he can wear other clothes - in general, it is desirable that it be white, blue, it can be both yellow and green. Also, the attire of the real Santa Claus does not cover a solid color - it is diluted with patterns, embroidery, edging (white or blue), etc. (photo 2) And in the clothes of Santa Claus, a solid red color prevails (exclusively!), And only the edge is sometimes white. From history: The traditional clothes of the Russian Father Frost are white, embroidered with silver thread ("frosty" patterns). In late tsarist times (the end of the 19th – the beginning of the 20th centuries), clothes of "cold" blue color, embroidered with silver thread, and yellow ones, embroidered with "golden" thread, appeared. After the proletarian revolution of 1917, red clothes appeared (under the color of the international proletarian flag), embroidered with silver thread. After the 1960s, the Muslim peoples of the USSR for Santa Claus occasionally began to practice green clothes, also embroidered with patterns. Modern traditions of Santa Claus robes: It is desirable that it be real silver - white, almost completely embroidered with silver patterns. Santa Claus can be in a red or blue robe embroidered with patterns. It is acceptable that it be "golden" - yellow, embroidered with "golden" threads. The robe of a real Santa Claus does not cover a solid color - it is necessarily diluted with patterns, embroidery, trim (white or blue), etc. The red robes of Santa Claus were introduced in the Soviet era as ideologically consistent in accordance with the color of the international proletarian revolutionary red flag. This is ridiculous. Santa Claus is the ancient elemental God of our ancestors. 2. Cap! The most typical feature! - The real Santa Claus can NEVER be in a cap - he is wearing a boyar hat. - And on Santa Claus - a jester's cap with a pom-pom, like a prankster gnome, which immediately gives him an atypical for Santa Claus frivolity and parody. (photo 3) 3. Outerwear. - Santa Claus is wearing a short jacket (sometimes just below the waist, sometimes even up to the waist), intercepted by a belt. Below the katsaveyka are red pants. Remember that in such clothes the true Santa Claus of our Russian winter will never endure. - Santa Claus should have a long fur coat to the ground, from under which no pants should be visible. The sight of pants sticking out from under a short fur coat is not solid! 4. Shoes, gloves, belt. - Santa Claus is always wearing boots, often of a shortened type. - Santa Claus should only have felt boots! Santa Claus has warm mittens on his hands, Santa Claus has light gloves. Mittens are good for autumn, but in cold weather it is better to wear mittens. The classic image requires that the mittens be white, embroidered with silver - a symbol of purity and holiness of everything that he gives from his hands. Santa Claus has a white belt; or with a trim to match the color of the fur coat. Santa Claus has a belt with a buckle. 5. Beard. - Santa Claus has a short and curly beard. All this is absolutely not typical for Santa Claus. Santa Claus's beard is lush, long, tousled by the free wind, and in most cases there is no curlyness in it. 6. Growth and volume. From all the previous words, in general, it is clear that Santa Claus is short in stature. And Santa Claus is impressive in growth, like a true ruler of the New Year! Santa Claus, in accordance with the Russian winter, wears a lot of warm clothes, and all the clothes are real, fur, thick. So Santa Claus is awesome! Sometimes it happens that Santa Claus is sometimes fat and round. But remember that his thickness always looks unnatural and caricature, while all the proportions of Santa Claus are always harmonious, and his thickness never conflicts with his height. 7. Points. Also, for Santa Claus, such a sign of culture as glasses is typical. Santa Claus has good eyesight. How can this omnipotent spirit of Nature - Santa Claus - have such a drawback as myopia ?! 8. Snow Maiden. It's also a hallmark. Santa Claus has never had and never will have a granddaughter, because his prototype is St. Nicholas, almost like any saint, was chaste. And our natural Grandfather has a granddaughter, this is everyone's favorite Snow Maiden! So there are two of us, and Santa Claus is just one! The Snow Maiden is the granddaughter of Santa Claus, she accompanies him everywhere. The image of the Snow Maiden is a symbol of frozen waters. This is a girl dressed only in white clothes (or colors resembling frozen water). The headdress of Grandfather Frost's granddaughter is an eight-pointed crown embroidered with silver and pearls. Santa sometimes still has Mrs. Santa Claus, but she is almost invisible. 9. Staff. - Please note: Santa Claus's staff is a standard Catholic bishop's staff (for it is not for nothing that Santa Claus comes from St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra): a stick with a curved top. (Photo 8) - But Santa Claus does not have to St. Nicholas has nothing to do, so his staff should only be a straight stick, it can have a round knob (or, at least, in the form of a star; the staff should not be rounded at all). 10. Deer. - Santa Claus moves, as the Americans teach us in their movies and cartoons, on deer across the sky. (photo 9) - Deer have never been a way of moving Santa Claus. For our Grandfather, the deer is small and weak. Santa Claus can ride a Russian troika, not in the sky, but quite on the ground, or rather on the snow, - he is the flesh of the flesh of this snow, this earth, this nature, why should he break away from his native roots, snow rises from under the runners dust, frosty wind beats in the face, Santa Claus rolls with daring and bells! A dashing troika is rushing across the Russian Land - then the owner of Winter, Grandfather Frost, is going around his boundless possessions! And Santa Claus goes skiing!!! A real athlete! (photo 10) But in general, as already mentioned, Santa Claus moves in a mystical way. 11. Socks on the fireplace. - This applies only to Santa Claus, not to Santa Claus. Socks on the Mantel – Santa Claus comes down the chimney and puts a gift in a sock. There have never been fireplaces in Russia. Only stoves. Yes, and our Grandfather will not crawl into some kind of narrow fireplace. This is how it happens with them: "Penetrating into the house through pipes and windows, he puts gifts in stockings, most often hung on the fireplace, and jingles bells, announcing the coming of the New Year. \" - Santa Claus appears in our homes in a mystical way , true as a spirit, no one really knows how he appears, - we only know that he WAS ... And one more thing. Our Santa Claus is a real generous Russian soul, the gifts are big, they won’t fit into a sock. 12. Other related paraphernalia - wreaths, bells, etc., songs "Jingle Bells" and others. All this is purely Christmas paraphernalia and is associated only with Santa Claus, and this should not be attributed to the image of Santa Claus. - Santa Claus holds a pipe in his mouth - smokes!!! (Recently, this detail is becoming less and less common). Santa Claus leads a healthy lifestyle and does not smoke. 13. Another very important differences: - Santa Claus is much older than Santa Claus. The modern image of Santa was created by the American writer Clement Clark Moore, who described his appearance and habits in detail in his poem "The Night Before Christmas" in the early 19th century. So, we celebrate the New Year only with our beloved Grandfather Frost and his granddaughter Snegurochka!
The older generation understands the difference between Santa Claus and Santa Claus. But not all modern children see differences in them. Many guys believe that this is the same character, others think that the winter wizards are brothers. Not all parents are quick to dispel such myths. Some do not consider it necessary to deprive the child of fairy tales. They say: "Let him believe in whom he wants, grow up, understand that all wizards are a figment of the imagination." But you can't do that with kids. The guys should see the difference between a Russian wizard and his Western counterpart. After all, if this is not taught to children, then in the future our country will lose its history. Today we will analyze in detail how Santa Claus differs from Santa Claus.
The origin of the Russian wizard
To understand the difference between Santa Claus and Santa Claus, you need to know the history of these two characters. It is believed that our wizard is the spirit of frost, which was worshiped by our pagan ancestors. People brought gifts to this mystical deity, trying to appease the harsh temper of Frost. A fictional deity from folklore became the prototype for the fairy tale "Morozko". At first, this character had nothing to do with the New Year, such an association came much later. Indeed, in Russia, Christmas has always been considered the main holiday of winter. Only in the Soviet period did the New Year acquire an all-Union scale. And the good wizard and his granddaughter became the symbol of this main holiday.
Many will be surprised, but there is also an American Santa Claus. Santa Claus is not the only character in Western children's fairy tales. Jack Frost is an analogue of our Russian wizard. But in America, he is considered a negative hero, he spoils the holiday for children, and it is with him that Santa Claus constantly confronts. Of course, Jack Frost is not exactly our Santa Claus, he smokes, drinks, and looks very repulsive.
History of the Western Wizard
Well, now let's take a look at the difference between Santa Claus and Santa Claus. St. Nicholas was taken as the prototype of the Western wizard. When the first settlers moved to live on a new American island, they had to lay down their folklore. This is how Sinterklaas was born. It was he who tossed presents to well-behaved children over the fireplace. But why did Santa Claus give gifts in such a strange way? And this fact has an explanation. They say that St. Nicholas walked on the roofs and threw purses of gold into the chimney of the poor. And since socks were dried on the fireplaces, wallets were found there.
Santa Claus gained wide popularity in 1931. It was in this year that Coca-Cola released its commercial with the famous old man in a red sheepskin coat. Therefore, thinking about who is older - Santa Claus or Santa Claus, we can safely say that our wizard is in the lead here.
Where does Santa Claus live
Everyone knows that the birthplace of the Russian wizard is Veliky Ustyug. There is the residence of Father Frost, in which he welcomes his guests all year round. Our wizard can't stand the heat, that's why he settled in the North. He has his own residence, which is located 11 km from the city. But it is open to everyone to visit. It's especially great to go there on New Year's Eve to get a dose of New Year's mood.
Where does Santa Claus live?
The birthplace of Santa Claus is Lapland, specifically the city of Rovaniemi. Here is his winter residence, in which the wizard welcomes guests and distributes gifts. Santa Claus has a beautiful palace with a wonderfully decorated facade. What can we say, the wizard has his own town, where the post office functions and the bakery works daily.
We understood where Santa Claus and Santa Claus live, and surprisingly, these wizards communicate with each other. In the early 2000s, their joint video message to the children of the planet was recorded.
Character of Santa Claus
As you know, the character of our wizard is not sugar. It is enough to remember the fairy tale "Morozko" to understand how Santa Claus treats lazy and deceitful children. Of course, the wizard does not freeze all the guys. It is only the most notorious pranksters that get such a fate. And Santa Claus brings gifts to the rest of the children. Some of the guys, those who are especially distinguished by good behavior and academic performance, the wizard gives gifts personally, at the governor's Christmas tree in Moscow. Santa Claus gives presents to other children at matinees in kindergartens and schools. Well, for those guys who study poorly and do not please their parents with good behavior, the wizard does not bring anything.
Santa Claus character
The Western wizard is also distinguished by his obstinate character. Although he is not as strong in witchcraft as his Russian prototype, he can still harm children. Instead of giving gifts to children who have misbehaved during the year, New Year's Santa Claus pours ashes into the sock.
Unlike the Russian wizard, the Western one does not have a healthy lifestyle. He loves to eat delicious food and smoke a pipe. As you know, people with a big belly are distinguished by an eccentric, but kind character.
Santa Claus clothes
Today, European and Russian fashion is no different, but it was not always so. And since Santa Claus is not a hero of our generation, his clothes are already morally outdated and look a little out of date. But this does not mean that she does not suit her grandfather, on the contrary, in her he has a regal look. On the head of Santa Claus is a hat trimmed with white fur. Often you can see embroidery in the form of frosty patterns on it. Santa Claus is dressed in a fur coat that reaches to the heels. It is girded with a belt, which is embroidered with gold or silver. Yes, and an interesting pattern can also be applied to a fur coat. On the feet of the Russian wizard are felt boots. These are the most appropriate shoes for a person who lives in the North. Hands of Santa Claus protect mittens from wind and snow. And his face is decorated with a white long beard. And of course, the red nose. The nose, by the way, can be blue. Everything will depend on the color of the coat. Recently, Santa Claus is increasingly wearing red outerwear, paying tribute to Western fashion. But still, the Russian wizard does not disdain to wear both a blue and a white fur coat. Santa Claus carries a staff in his hands. He conjures them, and he relies on him. Still, grandfather is in years, it is sometimes difficult for him to walk. Since the wizard leads a healthy lifestyle, he can often be seen skiing. But most often, Santa Claus uses eight white horses as a means of transportation, which he harnesses to a luxurious sleigh.
Western wizard clothes
The Santa Claus costume is different from the Santa Claus outfit. The fur coat of the European wizard is short. In a long one, it would be inconvenient to climb the smoke shafts. Santa Claus has red pants and black boots on his feet. His head is crowned with a nightcap with a pom-pom, and his face is adorned with a short white beard. White gloves protect hands from cold and wind. The belt of a Western wizard is wide, leather. The Santa Claus suit is red and he has one.
The Western wizard is not without human weaknesses, so you can see a smoking pipe in his hands. Although since anti-tobacco campaigns began in Europe, even Santa Claus has quit smoking. It is not surprising that in a few years the legend about the old man will change, and it turns out that he was never fond of pipe smoking. Old age makes the Western wizard wear glasses. But it is worth remembering that Santa Claus is not very similar to a person. It looks more like elves. The small stature and round belly, which add charm to the old man, unite the grandfather with pointy-eared creatures.
Homeland of Santa Claus - Lapland. It takes a long time to get from it on foot, so a Western wizard moves on a team with deer. These animals even have their own names, and some of them can talk. Elves often hang bells on deer antlers.
Santa's helpers
The Russian wizard does not work alone. He has an assistant - the granddaughter of the Snow Maiden. It is not entirely clear how this girl appeared, but by default it is assumed that she was left an orphan, and Santa Claus took her to live with him. It is surprising that in no country in the world there are analogues of the Snow Maiden. This girl accompanies her famous grandfather on all trips, helps him give gifts to children, and it is she who spends most of the matinees. Children love the Snow Maiden for her beautiful appearance and good disposition. But not only the granddaughter helps the Russian wizard. In addition to the horses that are harnessed to his team, you can see titmouse, bunnies and squirrels in various illustrations. These cute animals are companions and friends of Santa Claus.
Santa's helpers
The Western wizard has a whole team that prepares gifts for children for Christmas. It is made up of elves. These little men sew clothes and make toys day and night. Santa Claus also has a wife. Mrs. Claus does not accompany her husband on trips, but she always waits for him at home and supports him in all endeavors. Santa Claus travels with his reindeer. They are his friends. The Western wizard talks to them, and it is they who help him get out of various troubles in which the fat and clumsy old man gets into.
Why Russian children should know the differences
Naturally, each person should know his history and the history of his country. It is because of her that we exist. Of course, history can be rewritten, but you can't rewrite the past. And if you forget it, you can make the same mistakes in the future. It seems, where does the comparison of Santa Claus and Santa Claus and the future of our country? And it turns out there is a connection. After all, every child should know the folklore of his country. It is thanks to folk tales that each nationality has its own unique flavor. For example, have you ever wondered: in Germany, Santa Claus or Santa Claus congratulates children on the New Year? It turns out that neither one nor the other. The Germans have their own wizard, and his name is St. Nikolaus. And it's the same in any country. Cheerful or formidable, but always fair old men, who have more than one hundred years behind them, congratulate children on the holidays. What if there were no wizards? All countries would celebrate New Year and Christmas in the same way, and it would be uninteresting. After all, you see, it's nice to come to a foreign country and look at the strange and mysterious rituals that are performed in this foreign world. I would like to try wonderful national cuisine and appreciate completely new entertainment. This is what makes a person travel. And perhaps this is due to the preservation of traditions and national heroes and symbols of the holiday. And for Russia, the main characters of the New Year are Santa Claus and the Snow Maiden.
The older generation understands the difference between Santa Claus and Santa Claus. But not all modern children see differences in them. Many guys believe that this is the same character, others think that the winter wizards are brothers. Not all parents are quick to dispel such myths. Some do not consider it necessary to deprive the child of fairy tales. They say: "Let him believe in whom he wants, grow up, understand that all wizards are a figment of the imagination." But you can't do that with kids. The guys should see the difference between a Russian wizard and his Western counterpart. After all, if this is not taught to children, then in the future our country will lose its history. Today we will analyze in detail how Santa Claus differs from Santa Claus.
The origin of the Russian wizard
To understand the difference between Santa Claus and Santa Claus, you need to know the history of these two characters. It is believed that our wizard is the spirit of frost, which was worshiped by our pagan ancestors. People brought gifts to this mystical deity, trying to appease the harsh temper of Frost. A fictional deity from folklore became the prototype for the fairy tale "Morozko". At first, this character had nothing to do with the New Year, such an association came much later. Indeed, in Russia, Christmas has always been considered the main holiday of winter. Only in the Soviet period did the New Year acquire an all-Union scale. And the good wizard and his granddaughter became the symbol of this main holiday.
Many will be surprised, but there is also an American Santa Claus. Santa Claus is not the only character in Western children's fairy tales. Jack Frost is an analogue of our Russian wizard. But in America, he is considered a negative hero, he spoils the holiday for children, and it is with him that Santa Claus constantly confronts. Of course, Jack Frost is not exactly our Santa Claus, he smokes, drinks, and looks very repulsive.
History of the Western Wizard
Well, now let's take a look at the difference between Santa Claus and Santa Claus. St. Nicholas was taken as the prototype of the Western wizard. When the first settlers moved to live on a new American island, they had to lay down their folklore. This is how Sinterklaas was born. It was he who tossed presents to well-behaved children over the fireplace. But why did Santa Claus give gifts in such a strange way? And this fact has an explanation. They say that St. Nicholas walked on the roofs and threw purses of gold into the chimney of the poor. And since socks were dried on the fireplaces, wallets were found there.
Santa Claus gained wide popularity in 1931. It was in this year that Coca-Cola released its commercial with the famous old man in a red sheepskin coat. Therefore, thinking about who is older - Santa Claus or Santa Claus, we can safely say that our wizard is in the lead here.
Where does Santa Claus live
Everyone knows that the birthplace of the Russian wizard is Veliky Ustyug. There is the residence of Father Frost, in which he welcomes his guests all year round. Our wizard can't stand the heat, that's why he settled in the North. He has his own residence, which is located 11 km from the city. But it is open to everyone to visit. It's especially great to go there on New Year's Eve to get a dose of New Year's mood.
Where does Santa Claus live?
The birthplace of Santa Claus is Lapland, specifically the city of Rovaniemi. Here is his winter residence, in which the wizard welcomes guests and distributes gifts. Santa Claus has a beautiful palace with a wonderfully decorated facade. What can we say, the wizard has his own town, where the post office functions and the bakery works daily.
We understood where Santa Claus and Santa Claus live, and surprisingly, these wizards communicate with each other. In the early 2000s, their joint video message to the children of the planet was recorded.
Character of Santa Claus
As you know, the character of our wizard is not sugar. It is enough to remember the fairy tale "Morozko" to understand how Santa Claus treats lazy and deceitful children. Of course, the wizard does not freeze all the guys. It is only the most notorious pranksters that get such a fate. And Santa Claus brings gifts to the rest of the children. Some of the guys, those who are especially distinguished by good behavior and academic performance, the wizard gives gifts personally, at the governor's Christmas tree in Moscow. Santa Claus gives presents to other children at matinees in kindergartens and schools. Well, for those guys who study poorly and do not please their parents with good behavior, the wizard does not bring anything.
Santa Claus character
The Western wizard is also distinguished by his obstinate character. Although he is not as strong in witchcraft as his Russian prototype, he can still harm children. Instead of giving gifts to children who have misbehaved during the year, New Year's Santa Claus pours ashes into the sock.
Unlike the Russian wizard, the Western one does not have a healthy lifestyle. He loves to eat delicious food and smoke a pipe. As you know, people with a big belly are distinguished by an eccentric, but kind character.
Santa Claus clothes
Today, European and Russian fashion is no different, but it was not always so. And since Santa Claus is not a hero of our generation, his clothes are already morally outdated and look a little out of date. But this does not mean that she does not suit her grandfather, on the contrary, in her he has a regal look. On the head of Santa Claus is a hat trimmed with white fur. Often you can see embroidery in the form of frosty patterns on it. Santa Claus is dressed in a fur coat that reaches to the heels. It is girded with a belt, which is embroidered with gold or silver. Yes, and an interesting pattern can also be applied to a fur coat. On the feet of the Russian wizard are felt boots. These are the most appropriate shoes for a person who lives in the North. Hands of Santa Claus protect mittens from wind and snow. And his face is decorated with a white long beard. And of course, the red nose. The nose, by the way, can be blue. Everything will depend on the color of the coat. Recently, Santa Claus is increasingly wearing red outerwear, paying tribute to Western fashion. But still, the Russian wizard does not disdain to wear both a blue and a white fur coat. Santa Claus carries a staff in his hands. He conjures them, and he relies on him. Still, grandfather is in years, it is sometimes difficult for him to walk. Since the wizard leads a healthy lifestyle, he can often be seen skiing. But most often, Santa Claus uses eight white horses as a means of transportation, which he harnesses to a luxurious sleigh.
Western wizard clothes
The Santa Claus costume is different from the Santa Claus outfit. The fur coat of the European wizard is short. In a long one, it would be inconvenient to climb the smoke shafts. Santa Claus has red pants and black boots on his feet. His head is crowned with a nightcap with a pom-pom, and his face is adorned with a short white beard. White gloves protect hands from cold and wind. The belt of a Western wizard is wide, leather. The Santa Claus suit is red and he has one.
The Western wizard is not without human weaknesses, so you can see a smoking pipe in his hands. Although since anti-tobacco campaigns began in Europe, even Santa Claus has quit smoking. It is not surprising that in a few years the legend about the old man will change, and it turns out that he was never fond of pipe smoking. Old age makes the Western wizard wear glasses. But it is worth remembering that Santa Claus is not very similar to a person. It looks more like elves. The small stature and round belly, which add charm to the old man, unite the grandfather with pointy-eared creatures.
Homeland of Santa Claus - Lapland. It takes a long time to get from it on foot, so a Western wizard moves on a team with deer. These animals even have their own names, and some of them can talk. Elves often hang bells on deer antlers.
Santa's helpers
The Russian wizard does not work alone. He has an assistant - the granddaughter of the Snow Maiden. It is not entirely clear how this girl appeared, but by default it is assumed that she was left an orphan, and Santa Claus took her to live with him. It is surprising that in no country in the world there are analogues of the Snow Maiden. This girl accompanies her famous grandfather on all trips, helps him give gifts to children, and it is she who spends most of the matinees. Children love the Snow Maiden for her beautiful appearance and good disposition. But not only the granddaughter helps the Russian wizard. In addition to the horses that are harnessed to his team, you can see titmouse, bunnies and squirrels in various illustrations. These cute animals are companions and friends of Santa Claus.
Santa's helpers
The Western wizard has a whole team that prepares gifts for children for Christmas. It is made up of elves. These little men sew clothes and make toys day and night. Santa Claus also has a wife. Mrs. Claus does not accompany her husband on trips, but she always waits for him at home and supports him in all endeavors. Santa Claus travels with his reindeer. They are his friends. The Western wizard talks to them, and it is they who help him get out of various troubles in which the fat and clumsy old man gets into.
Why Russian children should know the differences
Naturally, each person should know his history and the history of his country. It is because of her that we exist. Of course, history can be rewritten, but you can't rewrite the past. And if you forget it, you can make the same mistakes in the future. It seems, where does the comparison of Santa Claus and Santa Claus and the future of our country? And it turns out there is a connection. After all, every child should know the folklore of his country. It is thanks to folk tales that each nationality has its own unique flavor. For example, have you ever wondered: in Germany, Santa Claus or Santa Claus congratulates children on the New Year? It turns out that neither one nor the other. The Germans have their own wizard, and his name is St. Nikolaus. And it's the same in any country. Cheerful or formidable, but always fair old men, who have more than one hundred years behind them, congratulate children on the holidays. What if there were no wizards? All countries would celebrate New Year and Christmas in the same way, and it would be uninteresting. After all, you see, it's nice to come to a foreign country and look at the strange and mysterious rituals that are performed in this foreign world. I would like to try wonderful national cuisine and appreciate completely new entertainment. This is what makes a person travel. And perhaps this is due to the preservation of traditions and national heroes and symbols of the holiday. And for Russia, the main characters of the New Year are Santa Claus and the Snow Maiden.
