Sankt nikolaus var ursprungligen en
Wer ist Sankt Nikolaus? For a long time in Austria and some regions of Germany, particularly in Bavaria, St. Nicholas was the main character in the Christmas celebration. But he was not Santa Claus, and he arrived earlier — on the 6th of December. Santa Claus or Father Christmas is a more recent tradition. Since the Germans and the Dutch brought many of their customs to America directly or indirectly, we need to look first at Europe in order to understand the American and worldwide Christmas celebration of today.
Santa Claus St. But who was the real Saint Nicholas? See below.
Saint Nicholas
The Historic, Real St. Nicholas Across the German-speaking region of Europe there are many kinds of Santa Clauses with many different names. Despite their many names, they are all basically the same mythic character. But few of them have anything to do with the real Saint Nicholas Sankt Nikolaus or der Heilige Nikolauswho was probably born around C.
Very little solid historical evidence exists for the man who later became the Bishop of Myra and the patron saint of children, sailors, students, teachers, and merchants. He is credited with several miracles and his feast day is December 6, which is the main reason he is connected with Christmas. Nowadays, St. Nicholas Day der Nikolaustag on Dec. Nicholas of Myra is believed to be the historical source of St.
Nicholas, the patron saint of children, sailors, students, teachers, and merchants. Although Austria is mostly Catholic, Germany is almost evenly divided between Protestants and Catholics along with some minority religions. So in Germany there are both Catholic katholisch and Protestant evangelisch Christmas customs. When Martin Lutherthe great Protestant Reformer, came along, he wanted to get rid of the Catholic sankt nikolaus var ursprungligen ens of Christmas.
Besides the Catholic and Protestant aspects, Germany is a country of many regions and regional dialects, making the question of who Santa Claus is even more complicated. On top of that, there are both religious and secular German Christmas customs. That American Santa Claus has really gotten around! Four main names WeihnachtsmannNickelKlausNiglo are spread out from the north to the south, from west to east.
Jultomtens historia
Hans Trapp is just one name for the frightening figure who accompanies St. Nicholas on December 6. Dressed like a bishop in a white garment, Nicholas usually arrives with a companion. His companion goes by many names, depending on the region. In some cases Krampus, for instance the figure frightens children both with its monstrous appearance and its threatening behavior.
Hvem er julemanden? Få hans fulde historie her
This is no jolly, smiling elf. This is more like a devil. Who are these nasty guys? These names can even vary within a region from locality to locality, but these Nicholas companions are rarely kind and good. Mostly they are evil — going so far as to frighten little children and, in some places, even whip them with switches. They reflect the darkness of the characters and stories in the original, non-sanitized Grimm Brothers fairy tales based on ancient Germanic folklore.
Learn more about these Nicholas companions below. Nikolaustag — 6. Dezember On the night of December 5 in some places, the evening of Dec. Nicholas, who resembles a bishop and carries a staff goes from house to house to bring small gifts to the children.
Jultomtens historia - Historiska Media Förlag
Accompanying him are several ragged looking, devil-like Krampussewho mildly or nor so mildly scare the children. Nicholas hands out small gifts. In some regions, there are other names for both Nikolaus and Krampus Knecht Ruprecht in northern Germany.