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Santa and the North Pole

Santa Legends Around The World

Germany Tale- Rubezahl: All year, he protects the children that come into the woods. He makes presents in his spare time, and delivers them at Christmastime.

Dutch Middle Ages- Zwarte Peit: The Dutch said that Zwarte Peit was the devil, and that St. Nicholas chained Zwarte Peit and made him St. Nick’s slave. On St. Nick’s Eve, a few weeks before Christmas, St. Nick made Zwarte Peit drop candy down chimneys and into children’s shoes.

Sweden- Swedish Tompte: Tompte are little Swedish elves that live deep in the forest. At Christmastime they make wheat ornaments to decorate trees, and delivered gifts to good children. Accompanying them is a goat made of wheat called Julback.

Northern- Eskimo Santa: Santa leaves presents to good children with the Snow Babies help. The Snow Babies are believed to be the result of Perry’s first exposition. Mrs. Perry gave birth to a Caucasian girl. The Eskimos traveled from all over to see the girl, and they called her, “Ah-Poo-Mickaninny” which means Snow Baby.

Mongolia- Tsai Sen Yeh: Herdsmen’s Day is celebrated with exchanging small gifts and feasting. Tsai Sen Yeh appears at the end and gives children gifts and money.

Siberia- Dedt Moroz: Dedt Moroz is also called Father Ice. Once there was a woman who had two stepdaughters, one nice and the other wicked. One day, the woman threw the nice daughter out in a fit of rage. Dedt Moroz came by and gave her diamonds because he was impressed by her kindness. When the woman found out, she threw the wicked daughter out. She threw a tantrum, and Dedt Moroz, in irritation, turned her to ice.

England- Father Christmas: Originated in the 1600’s, Father Christmas goes from house to house, peeping in to see if the children are being good. On Christmas, the good children find gifts under their tree.

America- Jolly Old Elf: In 1809, Washington Irving introduced Santa as a stout man with baggy breeches, broad brimmed hat, magical long pipe, and a habit of lying his finger along the side of his nose and winking.

Pennsylvania Dutch America- Christkindle/Kris Kringle: The English Dutch and German Dutch located in Pennsylvania Dutch combined their legends of Santa. He climbs through open windows and gives presents. When he leaves, he rings a bell.

America- Civil War Santa: From 1863 to 1864, the red, white, and blue flag had a picture of Santa on it. The flag boosted army morale, and both the North and South used the flag.

Germany- Weinachtsmann: Weinachtsmann means Christmas Man. In some parts of Germany, on December 6, Saints Feast Day, children would leave their shoes on the door step and Weinachtsmann would fill them with candy and treats. In other parts, Weinachtsmann would put presents in the children’s shoes on Christmas Eve with the help of a boyish elf, Christkindle.

For more legends, see:   http://www.annien.com/Holidays/Christmas/Legends/santa_legend.html

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