Where did Santa originate from?

Question

Seriously... when did the whole santa thing come about?

Answer 1

the same place Jesus came from. 10 % truth, 90% fiction. same thing about most rumors

Answer 2

Santa Claus and Xmas are both Pagan originally..

Saint Nicholas' Day

When the old Gods ruled the world, Odinn the All-father rode the skies of Germania and Scandinavia in winter with a crowd of elves and spirits; those mortals who offered him reverence were rewarded with gifts.. In later years, Odinn's horse, elves and gifts became the accouterments of a Christian saint named Nicholas..

Nicholas lived in Asia Minor..Because he calmed the storms at sea during his life, he became the patron of sailors; and because he restored to life three murdered youths, he became the patron for boys..But the most famous tale concerning him was that of three maidens whose imppoverished father planned to sell them into slavery.. Nicholas redeemed them with three bags of dowry gold, which he flung through their windows one night and which landed on their shoes, set to warm before the fire..For this deed, he became the patron of maidens, and Frenchwomen prayed to him for husbands..

He also became the patron of pawnbrokers, and his bags of gold are remembered in the three golden balls that are the sign of the trade..

But gift-giving was his most important act..In Germany and Holland, children set out their shoes on the eve of his feast day, filling them with hay and carrots for his white horse, just as provender had been left for Odinn's horse by their ancestors.. Nicholas, they knew, would ride over the rooftops in the night with his elvish companion Knecht Ruprecht.. Ruprecht carried a switch for use on naughty young ones.. But Nicholas carried baskets of toys and sweets, to be left in the shoes of all good children...

That is the origin of Santa, and the red suit he wears has only been around since about the 1930's when he was part of a huge Coke campaign..

Blessings.. )O(

Answer 3

It probably comes from the Celts but interestingly enough the Christmas tree and the mistole toe is also an ancient Celtic belief.

Answer 4

There seems to be several theories of origin regarding old St. Nick, but mainly it seems to be centered on the Christian one:

Saint Nicholas of Myra is the primary inspiration for the Christian figure of Santa Claus. He was a 4th-century Greek Christian bishop of Myra in Lycia, a province of the Byzantine Anatolia, now in Turkey. Nicholas was famous for his generous gifts to the poor, in particular presenting the three impoverished daughters of a pious Christian with dowries so that they would not have to become prostitutes.  

Answer 5

I forget the actual dates and region, but I believe it was a russian priest AKA Saint Nicholas used to give food and small toys and such to the poor families in his congregation or parish I dont know try googling St. Nicohlas and see what pops up. I generally slept in history class :)

Answer 6

the idea came from someone named St. Nick, who gave his all his belongings and money up to the poor. however, he was against the main religion, and therefore sent to jail. years later, he got out of jail, he gave his daily bread to the prison guard. later on he made a church, followed by his death. he is now recognized as a saint to all christians. however, he has nothing to do with the north pole.

Answer 7

There seems to be several theories of origin regarding old St. Nick, but mainly it seems to be centered on the Christian one:

Saint Nicholas of Myra is the primary inspiration for the Christian figure of Santa Claus. He was a 4th-century Greek Christian bishop of Myra in Lycia, a province of the Byzantine Anatolia, now in Turkey. Nicholas was famous for his generous gifts to the poor, in particular presenting the three impoverished daughters of a pious Christian with dowries so that they would not have to become prostitutes.

Saint Nicholas of Myra is the primary inspiration for the Christian figure of Santa Claus. He was a 4th-century Greek Christian bishop of Myra in Lycia, a province of the Byzantine Anatolia, now in Turkey. Nicholas was famous for his generous gifts to the poor, in particular presenting the three impoverished daughters of a pious Christian with dowries so that they would not have to become prostitutes. He was very religious from an early age and devoted his life entirely to Christianity. In Europe (more precisely the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Germany) he is still portrayed as a bearded bishop in canonical robes. In 1087, the Italian city of Bari, wanting to enter the profitable pilgrimage industry of the times, mounted an expedition to locate the tomb of the Christian Saint and procure the remains. The reliquary of St. Nicholas was desecrated by Italian sailors and the spoils, including his relics, taken to Bari where they are kept to this day. A basilica was constructed the same year to store the loot and the area became a pilgrimage site for the devout, thus justifying the economic cost of the expedition. Saint Nicholas became claimed as a patron saint of many diverse groups, from archers and children to pawnbrokers.He is also the patron saint of both Amsterdam and Moscow

Answer 8

There was a person named St. Nicholas, and I think the story goes that way back when women got married the man they married got money. So when this father  didn't have enough money for his daughter to get married, St. Nicholas dropped gold coins down the chimney. And well now I guess Santa brings gifts down the chimney.

Answer 9

Beleive it or not,

He was acually a real person once, but his name was ST Nick, and he diedd..A REALLY LONG TIME, WAYS BACK.