List of Christmas and winter gift-bringers

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Christmas gift-bringers in Europe Christmas-gift-bringers-Europe.jpg
Christmas gift-bringers in Europe

This is a list of Christmas and winter gift-bringer figures from around the world.

Contents

The history of mythical or folkloric gift-bringing figures who appear in winter, often at or around the Christmas period, is complex, and in many countries the gift-bringer – and the gift-bringer's date of arrival – has changed over time as native customs have been influenced by those in other countries. While many though not all gift-bringers originated as religious figures, gift-bringing is often now a non-religious custom and secular figures exist in many countries that have little or no tradition of celebrating Christmas as a religious festival. Some figures are entirely local, and some have been deliberately and more recently invented.

The main originating strands – all of which have their roots in Europe – are

Not all gift-bringers were or are specifically focused on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day: other common customs are 6 December (Saint Nicholas), 1 January, New Year (St Basil, or secular), and 6 January, Epiphany (Three Kings).

The international popularity of the figure of Santa Claus has transformed the older traditions of many countries. [2]

List of gift-bringers

Given the overlapping nature of gift-bringers throughout the world in name, attributes, date of arrival, and religious versus secular identity, this list may include winter gift-bringers that are not specifically associated with Christmas. The list should however not include mythical or folkloric characters that do not bring gifts, such as Father Time.

NationOld manChildOtherNotes
Flag of Afghanistan (2004-2013).svg AfghanistanBaba Chaghaloo[ citation needed ]
Flag of Albania.svg AlbaniaBabagjyshi, Babagjyshi i Krishtlindjeve [3] (Grandfather Christmas, Old Man of Christmas), Babadimri [4] (Grandfather Frost)
Flag of Andorra.svg AndorraPare Noel (Father Christmas)Els Tres Reis (The Three Kings)
Flag of Argentina.svg ArgentinaPapá Noel [5] (Father Christmas)El Niño Dios (Child God)Reyes Magos [6] (The Three Wise Men)
Flag of Armenia.svg ArmeniaՁմեռ Պապ (Dzmer Papik) (Winter Grandfather)[ citation needed ]Գաղանթ Բաբա (Gaghant Baba)[ citation needed ]Gaghant Baba is a more traditional figure associated with the old Armenian new year (gaghant), while Dzmer Papik is a more recent importation to the Republic of Armenia[ citation needed ]
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia Santa Claus; Bubaa Gaadha (in Gamilaraay) [7] Wangkarnal Crow (in Warmun, Western Australia) [8]
Flag of Austria.svg Austria Saint Nikolaus or Nikolo Christkind [9] (Christ Child)
Flag of Azerbaijan.svg AzerbaijanŞaxta Baba (Father Frost)[ citation needed ]
Flag of Belarus.svg BelarusДзед Мароз (Dzied Maroz) (Grandfather Frost)Śviaty Mikałaj (Saint Nicholas) was largely replaced by Dzeid Maroz during the Soviet period.[ citation needed ]
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg BelgiumKerstman (Christmas Man) and Sinterklaas for Dutch speakers; Père Noël [10] (Father Christmas) and Saint Nicholas for French speakersLe Petit Jesus [5] (Baby Jesus) for French speakers
Flag of Bolivia.svg BoliviaPapá Noel (Father Christmas)[ citation needed ]El Niño Dios (Child God)[ citation needed ]
Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg BosniaDjed Božićnjak (also known as Božić Bata or Djed Mraz ) 1 January[ citation needed ]
Flag of Brazil.svg BrazilPapai Noel, [11] Bom Velhinho (Good Little Oldie).
Flag of Bulgaria.svg BulgariaДядо Коледа (Dyado Koleda)
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada Santa Claus, [12] Père Noël [12] (Father Christmas) for French speakers
Flag of Chile.svg ChileEl Viejito Pascuero [13] (The Easter Oldman), referring to him appearing at "Christmas Time", which in Chile is often called "Nativity's Easter" (Pascua de la Natividad) or simply "Easter" (Pascua), in contrast to "Resurrection Easter" (Pascua de Resurrección).
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg ChinaShengdan laoren (Traditional Chinese: 聖誕老人, Simplified Chinese: 圣诞老人, Cantonese: sing daan lo jan, pinyin: shèngdànlǎorén (Old Man Christmas) [14]
Flag of Colombia.svg ColombiaPapá Noel (Father Christmas)El Niño Dios [15] (Child God), El Niño Jesús (Child Jesus)
Flag of Costa Rica.svg Costa RicaSanta Clós (Santa Claus), [16] San Nicolás (Saint Nicholas) or his nickname Colacho.El Niño Dios [16] (Child God)
Flag of Croatia.svg CroatiaDjed Božićnjak (Grandfather Christmas), Sveti Nikola (Saint Nicholas) [17] 6 DecemberMali Isus (Baby Jesus)In Dalmatia and Slavonia, Saint Lucy [17] arrives on the eve of her feast day, 13 December.
Flag of Cyprus.svg CyprusΆγιος Βασίλειος ο Μέγας (Saint Basil the Great) for Greek speakers[ citation needed ]
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czech RepublicAngel and devil accompanying Svatý Mikuláš [18] (St Nicholas) 6 DecemberJežíšek [19] (Baby Jesus)
Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark Julemanden [20] (Christmas Man)
Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg Dominican RepublicPapá Noel (Father Christmas), Santa Clós (Santa Claus)Los Tres Reyes Magos (The Three Kings), [21] Vieja Belén [21] (Old Lady of Bethlehem)
Flag of Ecuador.svg EcuadorPapá Noel (Father Christmas)El Niño Dios (Child God)The Three Kings [22]
Flag of England.svg England Father Christmas [23] or synonymously Santa Claus [24] Before mid-Victorian times Father Christmas was a different folkloric figure representing good cheer, and did not bring gifts. [25] [26]
Flag of Estonia.svg EstoniaJõuluvana (Old Man of Christmas)[ citation needed ]
Flag of Fiji.svg Fiji Santa Claus [ citation needed ]
Flag of Finland.svg Finland Joulupukki (Yule Goat) [27]
Flag of France.svg France- Le Père Noël [28] (Father Christmas)

- Saint Nicolas (Saint Nicholas) in Alsace, Lorraine, the Ardennes, Franche-Comté and the Low Countries, 6 December

- Olentzero in the Basque Country

- Saint Martin in Alsace, Franconian Lorraine and Maritime Flanders, 10 or 11 November [29] [30] [31]

- Le Père Janvier (Father January) in Burgundy, Nivernais and Bourbonnais, 31 December - 1 January [32]

- Le Petit Jésus (Child Jesus) [28]

- Le Christkindel (Christkind) in Alsace and Franconian Lorraine, 6 December [33]

- Tante Arie (Aunt Arie, a fairy) in the County of Montbéliard [28]

- Les Rois Mages (The Three Kings) in Roussillon

- Berchta in Alsace [34]

Flag of Georgia.svg Georgiaთოვლის ბაბუაtovlis babua (Snow Grandfather) 1 January[ citation needed ]
Flag of Germany.svg Germany- Martinsmann , 10 November in Protestant areas, 11 November in Catholic areas

- Nikolaus , 6 December

- Weihnachtsmann [35] (Christmas Man), 24 December in Protestant areas

Christkind [35] (Christ Child), 24 December in Catholic areasNikolaus is accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht, Krampus, Belsnickel or other servants in some regions of Germany.
Flag of Greece.svg GreeceΆγιος Βασίλειος ο Μέγας [36] (Saint Basil the Great)
Flag of Haiti.svg HaitiTonton Nwèl (in Haitian Creole), Père Noël (in French)[ citation needed ]
Flag of Honduras.svg Honduras Santa Claus [37] The Three Kings [37]
Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong聖誕老人 (jyutping: sing3 daan3 lou5 jan4) (Christmas Old Man), Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas[ citation needed ]
Flag of Hungary.svg HungaryTélapó (Father Christmas); Mikulás [38] (Nicholas)Jézuska or Kis Jézus (Child Jesus)Angels accompanying the baby Jesus [37] Mikulás is accompanied by krampusz, generally bringing virgács (rod for whipping) to children who did not behave well
Flag of Iceland.svg Iceland Jólasveinar [39] (Yulemen or Yule Lads)In Icelandic folk tales there are numerous Jólasveinar, which come on different dates. [39]
Flag of India.svg India- English: Santa Claus, Father Christmas

- Hindi: सांता क्लॉज़ (saanta kloz), सैंट निकोलस (saint nikolas)

- Other languages: Several names [a]

Flag of Indonesia.svg Indonesia Santa Claus, Sinterklas [ citation needed ]
Flag of Iran.svg Iran Santa Claus, [40] Baba Noel [40] (Persian: بابا نوئل); Amu Nowruz (Persian: عمو نوروز, "Uncle Nowruz"), also known as Papa Nowruz (Persian: بابا نوروز – Bābā Nowruz), Spring Equinox (20 March).[ citation needed ]
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland Santa Claus, Father Christmas, [40] Daidí na Nollag [41] for Irish speakers
Flag of Italy.svg ItalyBabbo Natale [42] (Father Christmas); in Trieste, Saint Nicholas 6 December.Gesù Bambino (Baby Jesus) La Befana [42] 6 January. In Sicily, [42] Udine, Bergamo, Brescia, Cremona, Lodi, Mantova, Piacenza, Parma, Reggio Emilia, Verona and Western Trentino, Saint Lucy [42] arrives on the eve of her feast day, 13 December.
Flag of Japan.svg JapanSanta Kurōsu (サンタクロース) or Santa-san (サンタさん) [43] is known, but is not a traditional visitor[ citation needed ]On 2 Jan [44] the Seven Lucky Gods bring metaphorical treasures in their treasure ship Takarabune [45]
Flag of Kenya.svg KenyaBaba Krismasi; Santa Claus[ citation needed ]
Flag of Korea (1899).svg Korea산타 할아버지 (Santa Harabeoji) (Grandfather Santa), 산타 클로스 (Santa Claus)
Flag of Latvia.svg LatviaZiemassvētku Vecītis (Father Christmas) [46]
Flag of Lebanon.svg Lebanonبابا نويل [47] (Baba Noel), Père Noël
Flag of Liechtenstein.svg Liechtenstein Christkind (Christ Child)
Flag of Lithuania.svg LithuaniaKalėdų Senelis [48] (Grandfather Christmas)
Flag of Luxembourg.svg LuxembourgKleeschen [49] (Saint Nicholas) Christkind (Christ Child) [49]
Flag of Madagascar.svg MadagascarDadabe Noely (in Malagasy), Père Noël (in French)[ citation needed ]
Flag of Malta.svg Malta Father Christmas [50] (Missier il-Milied in Maltese)
Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico Santa Claus El Niño Dios [51] (Child God)Los Tres Reyes Magos (The Three Kings [51] )
Flag of the Netherlands.svg NetherlandsKerstman [52] (Christmas Man), Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) Zwarte Piet [52] (Black Peter), accompanies Sinterklaas [52]
Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand Santa Claus, [53] Hana Kōkō (in Māori) [54]
Flag of Nicaragua.svg NicaraguaEl Niño [53] (The Child) The Three Kings [53]
Flag of North Macedonia.svg North MacedoniaДедо Мраз ( Dedo Mraz ; in Macedonian), Babagjyshi (in Albanian)
Flag of Norway.svg NorwayJulenissen (Santa Claus) [55]
Flag of Panama.svg Panama Santa Claus [56] Christ Child [56] The Three Kings [56] 6 January
Flag of Paraguay.svg ParaguayPapá Noel (Father Christmas)El Niño Dios (Child God)
Flag of Peru.svg PeruPapá Noel (Father Christmas), Santa Claus [57]
Flag of the Philippines.svg Philippines Santa Claus, [58] Santa Klaus (in Tagalog)Los Tres Reyes Magos, Tatlóng Haring Mago (The Three Kings), 5 January [58]
Flag of Poland.svg PolandGwiazdor (Star Man or Little Star [59] ), Santa Claus, [59] Święty Mikołaj (Saint Nicolas) 6 December [59] Dzieciątko (Christ Child) in Upper Silesia [60] Aniołek (Angel) 24 December in Kraków [60]
Flag of Portugal.svg PortugalPai Natal (Father Christmas), Santa Claus [61] Menino Jesus (Christ Child [61] ) – now less common
Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Puerto RicoSanta Clós (Santa Claus) [62] Los Tres Reyes Magos (The Three Kings)
Flag of Romania.svg RomaniaMoș Crăciun [63] (Old Man Christmas, Christmas Old Man, Grandfather Christmas, Christmas Grandfather), Moș Nicolae (Saint Nicholas)Jézuska or Kis Jézus (Child Jesus) (for the Hungarian minorities)Angyal (The Angel) (for the Hungarian minorities) Moș Gerilă (Grandfather Frost, Old Man Frost) during the previous Communist era [63]
Flag of Russia.svg Russia- In Russian: Дед Мороз ( Ded Moroz ) (Grandfather Frost [64] )

- In other languages: Nenets: Ямал Ири (Yamal Iri) (Grandpa of Yamal); Tatar: Кыш Бабай (Grandfather Winter); Yakut: Чысхаан (Chyskhaan) (Lord of the Cold)[ citation needed ]

Snegurochka (the Snow Maiden and granddaughter of Ded Moroz) and the New Year Boy [64] Before 1917, during the pre-Communist era, the gift-bringers were Saint Nicholas, Baboushka and Kolyáda [64]
Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland Santa Claus; Bodach na Nollaig (in Scottish Gaelic, lit.'Old Man of Christmas')[ citation needed ]
Flag of Serbia.svg SerbiaNow Деда Мраз ( Deda Mraz ; Grandpa Frost); previously Божић Бата (Božić Bata; Christmas Brother)
Flag of Slovakia.svg SlovakiaAngel and Devil accompanying Svätý Mikuláš [18] (Saint Nicholas) 6 DecemberJežiško (Baby Jesus)
Flag of Slovenia.svg SloveniaMiklavž (Saint Nicholas), [65] Dedek Mraz (Grandpa Frost), Božiček (Santa Claus)Jezušček (Baby Jesus)Sveti Trije kralji (The Three Kings)
Flag of South Africa.svg South Africa- In English: Santa Claus Father Christmas, [66] Santa Claus

- In other languages: Sinterklaas (in Afrikaans), uFata Khisimusi (in Zulu)[ citation needed ]

Flag of Spain.svg SpainPapá Noel [67] (Father Christmas); Pare Noél in Catalonia; Olentzero in the Basque Country and Navarre; [67] Apalpador in Galicia The Three Kings 6 January; [67] Tió de Nadal in Catalonia; [68] Anjanas in Cantabria; Anguleru in Asturias; Mari Domingi , a recent female companion for Olentzero in the Basque Country and Navarre. [69]
Flag of Sri Lanka.svg Sri Lankaනත්තල් සීයා (Naththal Seeya; in Sinhala), சாண்டா கிளாஸ் (Cāṇṭā kiḷās; in Tamil)[ citation needed ]
Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden Jultomten [70] (Christmas Gnome) Julbock (Christmas Goat) until the 19th century [67]
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland St Nicholas (known as Samichlaus to German-speakers and San Nicolao to Italian), [71] Père Noël [71] (Father Christmas) for French-speakers Christkind (Christ Child) in some areas, [67] Gesù Bambino (Baby Jesus) in Italian-speaking areas [67] La Befana in Italian-speaking areas [67]
Flag of Syria.svg SyriaPapa Noël (Arabic: بابا نويلbaba noel)[ citation needed ]
Flag of the Republic of China.svg Taiwan聖誕老人 or 聖誕老公公 (Old Man of Christmas)[ citation needed ]
Flag of Tanzania.svg TanzaniaBaba Krismasi; Santa Claus[ citation needed ]
Flag of Thailand.svg Thailandซานตาคลอส (Santa Claus)[ citation needed ]
Flag of Tonga.svg TongaSanitā Kolosi[ citation needed ]
Flag of Turkey.svg TurkeyNoel Baba (Father Christmas) or Grandfather Gaxan (Alevi areas)[ citation needed ]
Flag of Turkmenistan.svg TurkmenistanAýaz Baba[ citation needed ]
Flag of Ukraine.svg UkraineСвятий Миколай (Sviatyj Mykolaj) (Saint Nicholas), Санта Клаус (Santa Claus), sometimes Різдвяний Дід (Rizdvianyi Did) (Father Christmas)Christmas in Ukraine is celebrated on December 25. Since 2017, the date has been one of the official state holidays. Before that, Christmas was celebrated by many on January 7 by the Julian calendar. [72]
Flag of Uruguay.svg UruguayPapá Noel (Father Christmas)El Niño Dios (Child God) Los Reyes Magos on 6 January [73]
Flag of the United States.svg United States Santa Claus; [74] sometimes Kris Kringle; ᏗᎭᏄᎧᎯ (in Cherokee); Kanakaloka (in Hawaiian); [75] Késhmish Hastiin (in Navajo)
Flag of Uzbekistan.svg UzbekistanAyoz Bobo (Frost Grandpa), Qor Bobo (Snow Grandfather)[ citation needed ]
Flag of Venezuela.svg VenezuelaSan Nicolás (Saint Nicholas) [76] El Niño [6] (The Child)Reyes Magos [6] (The Three Wise Men)
Flag of Vietnam.svg VietnamÔng Già Nô-en (Old Man of Christmas)[ citation needed ]
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg WalesFather Christmas, Santa Claus; Siôn Corn [77] in Welsh (literally Chimney John) [78]

See also

Related Research Articles

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Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. A liturgical feast central to Christianity, preparation for Christmas begins on the First Sunday of Advent and it is followed by Christmastide, which historically in the West lasts twelve days and culminates on Twelfth Night. Christmas Day is a public holiday in many countries, is celebrated religiously by a majority of Christians, as well as culturally by many non-Christians, and forms an integral part of the holiday season surrounding it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Father Christmas</span> Folkloric figure originating in England

Father Christmas is the traditional English name for the personification of Christmas. Although now known as a Christmas gift-bringer, and typically considered to be synonymous with Santa Claus, he was originally part of a much older and unrelated English folkloric tradition. The recognisably modern figure of the English Father Christmas developed in the late Victorian period, but Christmas had been personified for centuries before then.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yule log</span> Log burnt on a hearth as a Christmas tradition

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sinterklaas</span> Legendary figure based on Saint Nicholas

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Companions of Saint Nicholas</span> Folkloric figures who accompany the gift-bringer

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christmas stocking</span> Receptacle for Christmas gifts

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santa's workshop</span> Legendary workshop in the story of Santa Claus

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christmas gift-bringer</span> Type of folkloric Christmas figures

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Krampus</span> Christmas figure in Alpine folklore

The Krampus is a horned anthropomorphic figure who, in the Central and Eastern Alpine folkloric tradition, is said to accompany Saint Nicholas on visits to children during the night of 5 December, immediately before the Feast of St. Nicholas on 6 December. In this tradition, Saint Nicholas rewards well-behaved children with small gifts, while Krampus punishes badly behaved ones with birch rods.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Santeclaus with Much Delight</span> Anonymous 1821 Christmas poem

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christmas traditions</span> Overview of the various traditions practised at Christmas

Christmas traditions include a variety of customs, religious practices, rituals, and folklore associated with the celebration of Christmas. Many of these traditions vary by country or region, while others are practiced virtually identically worldwide.

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Notes

  1. চান্টাক্লজ (Assamese), সান্তা ক্লজ (Bengali), सांता क्लॉज (Bhojpuri), सांता क्लॉज (Dogri), सांता क्लॉज (Goan Konkani), સાન્તા ક્લોસ (Gujarati), ಸಾಂಟಾ ಕ್ಲಾಸ್ (Kannada), सांता क्लॉज (Maithili), ക്രിസ്മസ് പാപ്പാ (Malayalam, lit.'Papa Christmas'), ꯁꯥꯟꯇꯥ ꯀ꯭ꯂꯖ꯫ (Manipuri), सांताक्लॉज (Marathi), सान्टा क्लाउज (Nepali), ସାଣ୍ଟା କ୍ଲଜ୍ (Odia), ਸੈਂਟਾ ਕਲੌਸ (Punjabi), सांता क्लॉज (Sanskrit) சாண்டா கிளாஸ் (Tamil), శాంతా క్లాజు (Telugu), سانتا کلاز (Urdu)

Bibliography