New Year in our country began to celebrate not so long ago, less than 100 years ago.Before that it was Christmas: with songs, carols and angels on elkah.But something has not changed.And New Year's Eve and Christmas to the children came the same mystery guest - Santa Claus.His nobody ever sees, but the kids in the morning under the tree waiting for wonderful gifts.The same make and colleagues Santa Claus in different countries.
How come Santa Claus?
Oddly enough, this character has nothing to do with religious, Christian motifs the holiday.This is - the embodiment of winter cold, pagan god of the cold and frost.A small gray-haired old man in a sheepskin coat, which knocks a stick and carried by the crackling wood in the winter air.According to legends, when the days of the winter solstice was particularly frosty, the harvest should be good.Therefore, for Santa Claus on windowsills exhibited bowls of food - ritual kutey and pancakes.It - dishes served for Souls, winter has always been associated with the Slavs world beyond the grave.Such a connection with pagan traditions - are not uncommon.Not so important, what is the name of Santa Claus in different countries.Almost everywhere, the character comes from the hoary paganism.
Then Santa Claus no gifts no one gave.It was a harsh and terrible deity, but fair.This Frost - aka Santa Claus - in the tales of gifts to the good and punish the evil characters.First, this motif migrated from people's motives in literature, writers drew attention to the colorful characters.By the 19th century it was already quite recognizable type.
Birth character
At the same time in the country were carried out actively trying to adopt Western Christmas traditions and create a good analogue of the winter wizard.Interested, as it is called Santa Claus in different countries, different options were considered.Proposed St. Nicholas, Grandfather Nicholas and even more familiar Slavic ear Frost.But the most successful in the role of a good winter wizard was exactly Santa Claus.He loved both children and adults.Then there was a traditional way and an old man in a bright, fur-lined sheepskin coat, hat and boots.In the hands of the familiar Santa Claus keeps long magical staff.Later there was a magician companion - granddaughter Snow Maiden.
What about other countries?
This character is present in the mythology of other countries.It is not always old, sometimes even not at all people.Mythical creature, god, good wizard.Kind of such creatures is quite bizarre.It is possible, at a meeting Santas from different countries could not even know each other.Yes and traditions vary widely.Somewhere wizards gifts to good children, somewhere else and punished disobedient.There are countries in which the holiday comes to kids two guests - good and evil.The first gives gifts, and second, if the child is behaving badly led, scares him or punishes.To do this, harsh winter spirits were usually in store very real whip.
Now let's discuss, as it is called Santa Claus in different countries of the world and how it looks.
Anyone familiar Santa Claus
Plump old man with a short, fluffy white beard.Red coat, red hat with fur trim.Santa Claus - that is as it is called Santa Claus in different countries - from Britain to America, from Australia to Canada.He arrives at every Christmas magic sleigh pulled by reindeer, and brings gifts to children.The prototype of this good old man was St. Nicholas.For Santa - a "holy", and Klaus - a form of the name "Nicholas".As usual all over the world Santa Claus did not exist, it was he who brought the December 5 children sweets and small gifts, and hid them in a sock left on the fireplace or under the pillow.The Dutch, who honored St. Nicholas and loved the holiday, dedicated to him, they brought this tradition to America.She settled down, soon many children on Christmas Eve waiting for the mysterious magician Santa Claus, which is sure to bring all the gifts.
Finland
That, as it is called Santa Claus in different countries, sometimes hearing the Russians sounds pretty funny.For example, in Finland, a magical creature, fulfilling the cherished children's wishes, name Joulupukki.Translated, it means no less - "Christmas goat."However, in Finland, this phrase has no offensive or ambiguous tone.The fact that on Christmas goat made a straw man - the same as in Russia see off the winter with a scarecrow of Maslenitsa.And the meaning of this action at one and the same - a pagan ritual that should be in the next year to ensure a good harvest.But in Finland as it stands the deity of fertility kozloobraznoe being like the ancient Greek fauns and satyrs.Here there's the tradition of going to grant Joulupukki such a strange nickname.Sometimes it is even depicted with small horns on his head.So, speaking about the name of Santa Claus in different countries, you can not smile at the thought that sometimes it is not only good magician, but also a little artiodactyl.
Earlier in the Finnish village lads dressed in a twisted fur outside sheepskin coats and wore a mask goat - the same tradition is present in the Slavic Christmas tradition.But in Russia, the masks usually just singing carols and wish the owners of health and wealth.In Finland, here are dressed in pagan spirit of the guys even gave gifts to children obedient and disobedient frightened and promised to spank.
Italy
Talking about how Santa Claus is called in different parts of the world, not to mention Italy.There, unlike most traditional Christmas characters, gifts for children gives a woman - fairy Befana.No, my Grandfather Frost there too.His name Babbo Natale.And like a fairy witch Befana brings kids sweets is not Christmas itself, and January 6 is the - the day of celebration of the Holy Epiphany.Those who behaved well, she puts a pillow chocolates and candies, and varmints stuffing socks pieces of coal.Fairy Befana looks pretty funny - like a real witch.Hooked nose, crooked teeth, and black clothes.According to legend, fairy Befana was once an evil witch.But after learning about the birth of Jesus, he decided to abandon the black magic.She met the Magi and with them wanted to go to Bethlehem.But they do not have poor Befanu with him.Instead, she was assigned to roam the world and give gifts to the children obedient, punishing varmints.So there are a lot of options on how known as Santa Claus in different countries.Only in Italy it is - an evil witch who decided to become good.
Japan
In each country - their traditions.At first they may seem strange, unusual, and even funny - but in fact just someone seem ridiculous Santa Claus and Snow Maiden.In Japan, for example, has as many as two characters associated with the New Year.Talking about how Santa Claus is called in different countries, it is difficult to figure out just what to say about Japan.There is a canonical and Segatsu-san, and fashioned Oji-san.This is - the result of the mixing of national traditions and the influence of mass culture.
Two spirit of the New Year
Segatsu-san - the ancient symbol of the New Year.It is a week goes home, congratulating on the occasion of the Japanese and giving them good luck and wealth.All seven days are considered holidays, this time on the table serves traditional Christmas delicacies, and the children are dressed in their best clothes.For Segatsu-san is a specific bamboo hoop decorated with pine branches.Through them, he had to enter the house.Perhaps telling about how Santa Claus is called in different countries, it should be mentioned Segatsu-san.After all, he - the traditional spirit of the Japanese New Year.However, the gifts he gives to nobody.
Oji-san - the apparent result of Western influence.It is very similar to Santa Claus, and also spoils the kids.In common with traditional Japanese culture, Oji-san is a little, but the kids love it - in fact, he gives presents, not limited to congratulations and wishes of good luck.
