Santa Claus is a character familiar to everyone who is found not only in fairy tales. But is the New Year celebrated just like that all over the world, and is a kind character with presents everywhere appearing in our usual guise?
It turns out that traditions in the world are very different - even the name of Santa Claus sometimes sounds completely different. To understand this issue, you need to make a trip around the world.
What is the name of Santa Claus?
In different countries, grandfather with New Year's gifts is called differently. In Russia, he is Santa Claus, and in Western Europe, the United States and several other countries - Santa Claus. The Estonian version is named after Jiuluvan, the Chinese version is Sho Hin. Greek children await St. Basil, and in Finland - Joulupukki. In Spain and France, gifts are brought by Father Noel, and in Italy, old Befana. So the name changes, depending on the country and local traditions. And the appearance of a Christmas wizard can vary greatly.
There are common features, they can be traced in any case - as a rule, we are talking about red clothes, a beard and a hat in the form of a cap, often with fur. The bag in which gifts are stored is also an indispensable part of “ammunition”. But there are differences - even among characters so close to all peoples. Grandfather Ho Shin, who is waiting for Chinese children, wears a kimono with dragons and an unusual hat with pompons. And grandmother Befano knows how to take a very different look, and flies on a broomstick.The Japanese Oji-san is exactly like Santa Claus, however in the Land of the Rising Sun there is another hero, Segatsu-san. He wears blue robes with gold embroidery.
In Sweden, a Christmas gnome carries gifts, and Muslim Khizir Ilyas is an old wanderer who has the opportunity to show a future endowed with magical powers.
Finnish Yolupukki has only recently become like Santa Claus - he used to wear goatskins and ride a goat. Only the character’s name, which translates as “Christmas goat,” recalls the past.
What is Santa Claus moving on?
Three horses remain the usual means of transportation for Russian Santa Claus, while Santa Claus travels on deer. In Norway, it is believed that the Christmas wizard moves on a fox sled, Corbobo from Uzbekistan rides a donkey. Most other characters do not have their own vehicles and move on their own feet. And often not alone - in each culture, the omnipotent grandfather is attributed his own retinue of fairy-tale characters.
Who brings the holiday with Santa Claus?
Every child in Russia knows that together with Santa Claus, his granddaughter Snegurochka comes to the holiday. Santa Claus lives in Veliky Ustyug, along with him animals can come from the surrounding forests. But the “companions” of the New Year's wizard from other countries may have a completely different retinue. However, many of them have their own Snegurochka - for example, the Azerbaijani or Armenian grandfather.Santa Claus has elves, and apparently, there are a lot of them. In other countries, the New Year's fairy tale is also being created by the forces of more than one sorcerer - as a rule, local magic creatures from folklore are attributed to his retinue. Dwarves, various spirits, animals - all of them can help in the difficult task of gifting each child. The Finnish Yolupukki has a wife, Muori, who is usually revered as the mistress of winter.
Since Santa Claus began to gain popularity around the world, in many cultures, the local Santa Claus began to take on his features from appearance to retinue and transport, until complete identity. So, the Japanese New Year wizard received red clothes, and Santa Claus in Russia often appeared in a short fur coat instead of his traditional rich fur coat to the floor, which could be not only red, but also blue, white. It is enough to watch old films for children, such as Morozko, to make sure that over the past decades the image of the good old man has undergone quite significant changes. But in fact, this is not so important.
The main thing is that Santa Claus continues to bring joy to children every year, create a festive mood that extends even to adults who are always busy with their own affairs. He is expected in the framework of each New Year's celebration - in Russia he comes on New Year's Eve, attending all festive events, or simply leaving gifts under decorated Christmas trees.
Children continue to believe in miracles, learn poetry and try to behave themselves so that they receive a welcome present.And adults simply get the opportunity to immerse themselves every year in the atmosphere of a fairy tale, which is sometimes so lacking. All this is given by Santas, and what their appearance and national flavor is, in fact, not so important.
