Some Christmas traditions mirror pre-Christian festivities, but some pagan influences may have been overstated.
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Where does Santa live? Myths, origins, and the global debateOver time, his story travelled to Northern Europe, where it merged with local pagan traditions. On the first Saturday after November 11, Sinterklaas, the jolly precursor to Santa Claus ...
"The incorporation of pagan ... “The name Santa Claus evolved from Nick’s Dutch nickname, Sinter Klaas, a shortened form of Sint Nikolaas (Dutch for Saint Nicholas),” History.com says.
"This story in particular, it really kind of humanised him for me and made him a far more interesting character than I think he's normally portrayed," says University of Winchester's Brian Thornton.
Santa Claus, the iconic figure who brings holiday ... ivy, or mistletoe. This pagan symbol of nature and renewal brought joy to the public during the dark winter months. Over time, this character ...
Santa Claus is a name derived from Sinterklaas or Saint Nicholas. Along with pagan elves and gnomes, another element in the long and very complex history of Santa is the Christian bishop St ...
Santa Claus is a name derived from Sinterklaas or Saint Nicholas. Along with pagan elves and gnomes, another element in the long and very complex history of Santa is the Christian bishop St ...
Santa Claus is a name derived from Sinterklaas or Saint Nicholas. Along with pagan elves and gnomes, another element in the long and very complex history of Santa is the Christian bishop St ...
Santa Claus is a name derived from Sinterklaas or Saint Nicholas. Along with pagan elves and gnomes, another element in the long and very complex history of Santa is the Christian bishop St ...
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