Santa Claus, Santa Claus and others: What is the difference between New Year's wizards from different countries

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Celebration of Christmas and New Year in different countries has its own characteristics and traditions. This also applies to the main participant of these holidays - Santa Claus. In each country, he is his own, special, and his name is different. The most famous are Grandfather Frost and Santa Claus. And what other wizards come to people on these holidays to please them?

Russia - Ded Moroz

The three snow-white horses are racing Santa Claus to the holiday. Santa Claus is in a painted sleigh, he is wearing a long fur coat, usually blue or red, and in his hands is a magic staff. And next to him is always his beautiful granddaughter Snegurochka.

USA, Canada, UK, Australia - Santa Claus

Santa is younger than Santa Claus, quite plump and cheerful. It is easily recognizable by a red dress and a cap of the same color. As soon as Santa gives a sign to his magic talking deer Rudolph, they are already in the air! Having carefully entered the house through the chimney, having laid out the presents in the shoes or stockings prepared by the fireplace, Santa, of course, does not forget to feast on the treats left for him, usually milk and cookies.

Belarus - Ded Moroz (Dzed Maroz) and Zyuzya

The Belarusian Father Frost settled in the beautiful park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha". Here he welcomes guests all year round. There is another character in Belarus, very similar to the Russian Grandfather Frost, although a little eccentric - Zyuzya. He lives in the forest, often walks barefoot or in slippers on his bare feet.

Belgium - Saint Nicholas

This Santa Claus is the oldest of the whole family. He rides a horse, and always next to him is the Moor Black Peter, who has with him a bag of gifts and a rod for hooligans. The owners of the house where Saint Nicholas is staying usually get a golden apple in memory of him.

Hungary - Nikalaus and Telapo

First, Nikalausz brings gifts to the children for Christmas, but before that his assistants tell him how the children behaved. And, accordingly, someone gets sweets, and someone gets coal.

After Christmas Nikalausha is replaced by Telapo. Sometimes the little imp, Krampus, comes to the kids with him, which slightly scares the mischievous people that he can leave them without a gift.

Holland - Sinter Klaas

This wizard appears surrounded by a whole retinue of dark-skinned Moors with turbans on their heads. They accompany Sinter Klaas everywhere, and their responsibilities include distributing gifts that he brought.

Germany - Weinachtsmann

The local Santa Claus is called Weinachtsmann. Children are very fond of this kind grandfather, who comes to them on a donkey with gifts. The children, while waiting for Weinachtsmann, leave a treat for the donkey in their shoes. Together with Weinachtsmann, a very strange-looking creature also appears - Polznikel. Strangely dressed in a fur coat turned upside down, holding a rod intended for hooligan children, he wanders the streets, in addition, clinking with chains and frightening passers-by. …

Denmark - Uletomten (Ulemanden)

Yuletonen, differs in that when bringing gifts to the house, he tries to leave them not under the tree or near the fireplace, as many other Santa Clauses do, but hides them in the most unexpected places. And in the morning, a commotion begins in the house - everyone is busy looking for gifts, and sometimes it drags on for a long time. Nevertheless, it is pleasant and interesting. This grandfather also has helpers - mischievous little gnomes-brownies, very good-natured. They have wooden shoes on their feet, and red caps on their heads. Their favorite treats are rice pudding and oatmeal with added cinnamon.

Ireland - Daddy on Nollag

In this land of fairy elves, steeped in secrets and legends, Santa Claus is also very unusual. He is wearing a green fur coat, which is very popular in Ireland, on his head is not a hat, but a wreath, his staff is decorated with herbs.

Spain - Papa Noel

Although the Spaniards not so long ago met Santa Claus (they used to be given gifts by the Magic Kings), they have already managed to fall in love with him. And now they celebrate the holidays with him. But they also did not forget about the Magic Kings, and they now come with gifts on January 6th.

Italy - Babbo Natale and Fairy Befana

Magician Bobo Natale comes to Italian children on a sleigh with reindeer. Having made his way into the house (usually through a pipe), he leaves gifts for each child under the tree. And in case he wants to have a snack on the road, a cup of milk is waiting for him in every house.

The fairy La Befana also brings gifts to Italian children on these holidays. She also goes down the pipe and lays out gifts, while strictly making sure that only obedient children receive them. Before leaving, she sweeps the floor near the fireplace.

China - Shan Dan Laozhen

The Chinese grandfather has a rather exotic look - he is wearing a silk oriental robe, an intricate headdress, and he rides on a donkey. But, nevertheless, he has a lot in common with European wizards. In particular, he also puts gifts in socks hanging on the wall.

Norway - Yulebukk

Norwegian Yulebukk is also helped by the little gnomes-brownies Nisse, who are very fond of sweet oatmeal with butter. Children set the table for them with their favorite treat, and the gnomes leave gifts for them.

Romania and Moldova - Mosh Krachun

According to an old legend, the Virgin Mary stayed with the shepherd Krachun. And after she gave birth to Jesus, the shepherd brought her cheese and milk. When, after some time, Mary left with the child, the shepherd began to give gifts to the children.

Finland - Joulupukki

High in the mountains, the unhurried life of Joulupukki, the Finnish Santa Claus, flows. His wife, Muori, lives with him in the house.

France - Peer Noel

The kindest Peer Noel often walks with Chaland, who has hidden rods for punishing naughty children, most likely just to scare them a little.

Peer Noel leaves the brought gifts near the fireplace, in the shoes prepared by the children, but he gets into the house in the usual way - through the chimney.

Sweden - Jul Tomten

In Sweden, the role of Santa Claus is played by two - the real grandfather Yultomten, and the dwarf Yulnissaar. Together they go home and leave gifts there without being noticed.

Czech Republic - Mikulas

Kind grandfather Mikulas is similar to our Santa Claus. But next to him is not the Snow Maiden, but an angel and an imp.

For good kids, Mikulas has prepared sweets, apples and oranges. But hooligans can easily find a potato or coal instead of the expected gift in the morning.

Japan - Segatsu-san and newcomer Oji-san

In Japan, there is a traditional Santa Claus, Segatsu-san, who visits the kids during the week. Although he comes without gifts, every house is very much waiting for him and preparing for a meeting - they install special gates and dress up. It is believed that he brings health and good luck. Not so long ago, a new Santa Claus appeared in Japan, in a red sheepskin coat, his name is Oji-san. This Santa Claus comes with gifts. And he has already managed to win the love of the Japanese, especially children.

"Hello Dedushka Moroz!" - it is with this heading that you can combine 23 funny New Year photos from the Soviet past.