Saturday, December 01, 2007

Day Opening - December 1


Lapland, home of Santa Claus.

9 comments:

Sincerae (means "Morningstar") said...

I thought Turkey was the home of Santa Claus since St. Nicholas was born and live there. The idea for Santa Claus came from St. Nicholas. Here's a link:)

http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=23

Sincerae (means "Morningstar") said...

Also here is a page on the same website that tells how St. Nicholas has been changed to Santa Claus in St. Nicholas' hometown in Turkey. It has photos of the changes.

http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=618

Unknown said...

Dear Sincerae,
Santa Claus in the USA was created by Pepsi Cola in 1922, the colors of Red and White are there, as a marketing tool.
St. Nicolas is celebrated in e.g. the Netherlands on the 5th of December.
The Christmas tree another story. Trees were enlightened by hunters to to remember to way back. Its an old pagan traditition. Santa Claus is Finish..)) St. Nikolas was an old Byzantium Saint....
Kindest

Sincerae (means "Morningstar") said...

I didn't know why the suit is red and white. I think I've heard the Christmas tree part. But peek at the links if you have time, OK? :)

Unknown said...

Sincerae, just type: Pepsi Cola and Santa Claus, and dyou get the answer..))
Yes, I had a sneek peak at the links...

Anonymous said...

I now know why I like Coke.

I thought it was Coke that started the Santa Claus tradition.

But what do I know . . .

Actually, Santa was introduced to the U.S. way before that . . .

http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/santa.asp

Unknown said...

Metin, you asked for common sense...
Shall I dump some links here..))
Btw, what's the difference between Coca and Pepsi cola..))

Sincerae (means "Morningstar") said...

This evening I bought a Coca Cola 2008 calendar of vintage ads, and there sure is a lot of red and white colors:)

VLR said...

Oh la la, Hans: Pepsi Cola used Santa Claus as a markteting tool, but surely, Pepsi didnt't invent him. Maybe Pepsi is responsible for how he looks like today.

But the name Santa Claus has derived - as i'm sure you know - from the Dutch name Sinterklaas, i.e. Saint Nicholas. The person himself has derived from both the English Father Christmas and the average 17th century fat Dutch merchant. All far before the 1920s.

Saint Nicholas himself was bishop in Turkey and is buried in Bari. But his role before and around Christmas wasn't quite christian, as i'm sure you know. He looks very much like the Germanic God Odin, who was riding a white horse (as the present West European Sinterklaas does). Odin had lots of other creatures, fairy's and other strange helpers in his array.

On the other hand, Norwegian friends told me, in Scandinavia (including Finland) they also know a personality (i forgot his name), who looks a bit like a devil (or Odin for that matter) who rides a billy goat. I am not sure but i think he also gives presents to children.

It seems Pepsi made good use of it. Although, as a part time competitor of Santa Claus, around this time of the year, i should say nothing can beat a real goedheiligman.

But in the mean time i could say:
"'t is een vreemd'ling zeker / die verdwaald is zeker..."

Bertus