The term Weihnachtsmann is a very generic German term for Father Christmas, St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus. The German Weihnachtsmann is a fairly recent Christmas tradition having little if any religious or folkloric background.
Did Christmas start in Germany? Christmas did not start in Germany, but many of the holiday's traditions began there, including decorating trees . The celebration of Christmas started in Rome about 336, but it did not become a major Christian festival until the 9th century.
In the more Catholic regions—primarily South Germany, Austria and Switzerland—the gift bearer role belongs to the Christkind, while those in North Germany commonly consider it to be the Weihnachtsmann (Santa Claus) who is exiting.
This red-coated, bushy bearded, jolly man with a laden sleigh and seven reindeer was the exaggeration of several imaginations. The modern "American" Santa Claus is most closely associated with a Germanic version of Saint Nicholas.
Der Weihnachtsmann | Animationsfilm | Exklusive Version | GERMAN
Which country says Father Christmas?
Père Noël (French pronunciation: [pɛʁ nɔ. ɛl]), "Father Christmas", sometimes called 'Papa Noël' ("Dad Christmas"), is a legendary gift-bringer at Christmas in France and other French-speaking areas, identified with the Father Christmas and/or Santa Claus of English-speaking territories.
The theory suggests the Catholic Church in Rome, Italy, began celebrating Christmas on December 25 in 336 CE to replace the pagan celebrations. However, several ancient manuscripts and theories reveal that the original celebrations of Christmas began even earlier than 336 CE.
The modern Christmas tree (weihnachtsbaum) originated from Germany. In the 16th century, German Christians brought decorated trees into their home to celebrate the holiday, with many families building Christmas pyramids of wood and decorating them with evergreens if wood was scarce.
Was Germany the first country to have a Christmas tree?
Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition—as we now know it—by the 16th century when sources record devout Christians bringing decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce.
The English Father Christmas was now Santa Claus in all but name. Despite being invented by New Yorkers hankering after old Dutch traditions, Santa was exactly the kind of hero the Victorians needed for their new, family-friendly Christmas.
Every year in early December, children in Germany and Austria anxiously prepare for a visit from St. Nicholas. Those who were good will be rewarded with presents and treats, but those who misbehaved will face his menacing partner, Krampus, the devilish figure who beats naughty children and drags them off to hell!
She looks like an angel, while her name, “Christkind,” translates to “Christ child” in German. The Christkind is the bearer of Christmas gifts to most children in German-speaking countries, just as Santa Claus is to children in the United States.
The English folk figure "Father Christmas" originally wore green robes which eventually turned red over time. This was mainly due to St Nicholas, whose legend modern portrayals of Father Christmas are based on, often appearing in paintings and illustrations wearing red-coloured robes.
Coca‑Cola did not create the legend of Santa Claus. But Coca‑Cola advertising did play a big role in shaping the jolly character we know today. Before 1931, there were many different depictions of Santa Claus around the world, including a tall gaunt man and an elf —there was even a scary Claus.
In fact, when Civil War cartoonist Thomas Nast drew Santa Claus for Harper's Weekly in 1862, Santa was a small elflike figure who supported the Union. Nast continued to draw Santa for 30 years, changing the color of his coat from tan to the red he's known for today.
No. Before COCA-COLA® was invented, Santa Claus (St Nick) had appeared in numerous illustrations and books wearing a scarlet coat. He was portrayed a variety of ways. He could be tall and gaunt or short and elfin, sometimes distinguished and intellectual, other times rather frightening.
However, it was not until the late part of the 19th century that the character adopted the red suit that was popular for Santa Claus in America, and so for much of the Victorian period, Father Christmas was often green.
When people think of Santa's voice and what he says, we can't help but imagine of his famous catchphrase, "Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas!" We know what Merry Christmas means, but what does he mean when he says "ho ho ho"? In truth, "ho ho ho" doesn't mean anything. It's actually just the sound of Santa Claus's laughter.
For centuries, artists have depicted Santa Claus with a sizable beard. The primary reason for his facial hair goes back to Saint Nicholas' Roman Empire origins. If you were a man living in 300s Rome, you likely donned a large beard.
The green colour was used to signify the coming spring. If he wasn't wearing green or red, Father Christmas sometimes wore long white fur robes instead. This colour was chosen to resemble snow and ice – in this way, Father Christmas was depicted as a personification of winter itself.
Santa Claus' origins date back to about 280 A.D. when St. Nicholas was born, the History Channel reports. This would make Santa approximately 1,744 years old today.
Derived from the Latin sanctus, Santa is anointed with the meanings “saintly,” “holy,” and “blessed.” Widely used as a title for female saints in Spanish, Santa is also popularly known as the first name of a certain Mr. Claus.
The popular conception of Santa Claus originates from folklore traditions surrounding the 4th-century Christian bishop Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children. Saint Nicholas became renowned for his reported generosity and secret gift-giving.
Traditionally, Santa Claus, or Weihnachtsmann in German, does not drop down chimneys and deliver gifts the eve of Dec. 25 in Germany. Instead, the Christkind or Christkindl, an angel-like creature with blond hair and wings, brings gifts to families on the eve of Christmas.
