Hi! I'm from Finland, and it is so fun to see someone talk about the history of Santa Claus, I find it very interesting! In Finland, we actually meet Joulupukki on Christmas eve, on the 24th. He gives presents, children maybe sing for him. His reindeer do not fly, or at least that is the impression I always had. He lives in Finland, actually, not in the North Pole, like the American version. His home and workshop is in Korvatunturi. Joulupukki also has his very own tv programme every year, where you can call to send messages and wish someone a happy Christmas. It is live, I think, so you get a very direct contact to Pukki. Gnomes (tontut) are very closely associated with Christmas now, but historically, they were creatures of everyday lives of people. They took care of your house, and if you made them angry, they would do tricks on you. The gnomes are a bit different here, usually older looking people, round and kind. Also, if you would like a movie recommendation, I really like Joulutarina (2007). It is very christian version though, and for some reason, Pukki flies. I think they just thought it looked cool, I guess. Another classic here is Joulupukki ja noitarumpu (1996), but just to warn people, it is unfortunately very racist against the Sami people. I think it still is shown every year on tv. It is also uploaded in yt, but I doubt it has subtitles. The art is so nice, but makes me sad how it depicts the Sami. :(
@@meriadoc_9813that’s fascinating, thanks so much for sharing!! And I think in other parts of the world Santa lives at the North Pole because Finland is as far north as most people can imagine going😂
This is a beautiful video! In Germany, Santa Claus is called St. Nikolaus and comes on December 6th. The night before, children put out a plate with a sugar cube in the garden or somewhere outside the house. The sugar cube is for Nikolaus' white stallion. Nikolaus is dressed like a traditional bishop with mitra and golden, arched cane. He comes from the North Pole and rides on a white stallion. As the children wake up the next morning, they see their plate full of nuts, tangerines,gingerbread and usually a small gift, like a pair of gloves or a nice pen. It's a miniature Christmas before Christmas. I really liked it almost more than Christmas.
In The Netherlands and Belgium, Sint-Nicolaas (or Sinterklaas, as it is normally called) comes from Spain and if you are a bad kid, he will take you to Spain. Traditionally, the presents are given 5-6th December and not during Christmas.
Being from Scandinavia and living here most of ny life, but lived in Luxembourg when I was very young, I have been exposed to a small handful of different traditions. Mostly Scandinavian Santa and therefore our nisser (sometimes similar to Santa's elves, but waaaay more complex). I have also experiences a December, where we got a visit from Saint Nicholas and Schwarte Pete. (Think Ana's description of Knecht Ruprecht, but the gift giving and punishing character divided into 2 people... Today probably a bit racially insensitive, but that's a longer discussion) But also: There was an advent calendar on TV when I was a child that introduced us to a good amount of these different versions of Santa Claus. We, by others, learned about Knecht Ruprecht, Saint Nicholas, Befana, and more that I dont remember at the moment. Always love learning things like this, loved the video Ana!
i don't usually celebrate christmas and festive seasons in my culture (i'm from asia) but loved this video from you!! your narration is sooo interesting and detailed~ please continue to make such videos!
I grew up w the St. Niklaus tradition in Germany. Me and my sister would always put our boots outside and my mom would put oranges, chocolate, and a little gift in it. It’s a whole lot of oranges though. Everybody gives you oranges that evening😂
It was the Roman emperor Constantine the great that decided to combine Christianity with paganism in hopes to unify and strengthen his empire. Christians were persecuted for refusing to worship the emperor, facing the choice to either bow down or die for their faith. Many chose martyrdom. Witnessing their courage, some soldiers assigned to persecute them were moved and later converted to Christianity. This shift in loyalty led to a decrease in soldiers willing to carry out the emperor's orders, ultimately contributing to the emperor's decision to embrace Christianity and reduce persecution.
In the Netherlands we still celebrate st. Nicholas Day or as we call it: Sinterklaas. No child grows up without it here. It's great! He arrives in a boat with his Peetes (or Pieten in Dutch). Then children can put their shoe against the fireplace (or tv nowadays). At his birthday, the 5th of december, he brings presents. Every year, there is a special Sinterklaasjournaal which tells the news on what is going on with Sinterklaas and his Peetes. And of course every year, it is a challenge for Sinterklaas to get everything done. This year he got sick for instance. There is also controversy because it has been said that the Sinterklaasjournaal gives the kids too much anxiety.😅 Also fun for adults to watch because they subtly put current political stuff in there. Last year there were elections in november and by chance, the kids also needed to vote on their favorite Pete.
My understanding from what I've read (as a layperson when it comes to history) is that patriarchal, monotheistic religions arose during a time when there was a surplus of food due to increasing agricultural systems, and men who were no longer spending extended periods away to hunt began experiencing a bit of an identity crisis. They started banding together, creating deities in their own images, and using fearmongering and violence to eradicate the old religions.
I would like a video on goat related mythology and why christianism portray evil (devil/satan) like this... Im guessing because it is linked to paganism 🤷♀️ and polytheism
Yep, that's why! Goats and horned gods were part of the old religions, so Christianity had to demonize them. You might find that in the following books! -Witches and Pagans by Max Dashu -The Great Cosmic Mother
I would still pet the cat 😂😂😂 I have a white vicious cat and she's too cute. 🤔 Maybe these multicultural myths come from winter survival and sort of hopefulness that warmer days with more supplies will come. They gather as a community for warmth and to collect supplies to survive the harsh snowy days. They needed kids to collaborate as well and be well behaved during this season, cause there was not playing outside? As you know , i come from a warmer region of the world, and although we have tons of tales and ethnical myths, we lack this santa type archetype.
Just using the word misogyny online makes snowflakes lose their minds 😂 It's of course not a reason to avoid making a video on it, but for my own peace I'm reluctant to dive into the topic
Imagine you are stuck inside a very small house or tent with rambunctious children in the winter. You can’t kick them out of the house when it gets dark so early. That’s you answer to the bribery and beatings of those progenitors of Santa Claus.
I love your video and your attire is gorgeous. If you are planning to make a video on East Christian Orthodox Christmas traditions, as a Greek Cypriot speaker I would like to offer my assistance.
Unfortunately this video is the culmination of about a dozen Pagan books (and each of them dedicates only a tiny portion to Christmas traditions) and research I once did for a short story, but here are a few recommendations you might enjoy: -The Wheel of the Year and Ancient Ways by Pauline Campanelli both go into rites and legends during each time of the year. -I just ordered Chill Tidings: Dark Tales of the Christmas Season. I have no idea which legends are in it so far, though!
Honestly, who knows how these legends evolve! But I wonder if the invention of TV and marketing from companies like Coca-Cola brought him to his modern-day legend
It's a phenomenon called Synchretism. Traditions and belief systems may be hostile and mutually exclusive to each other in the short term, but over the course of multiple generations they tend to adopt parts of each other that they like.
If you’re from one of the cultures referenced in this video, I’d LOVE to hear your own experiences with these December legends! 🎅🏻🎄❄
Hi! I'm from Finland, and it is so fun to see someone talk about the history of Santa Claus, I find it very interesting!
In Finland, we actually meet Joulupukki on Christmas eve, on the 24th. He gives presents, children maybe sing for him. His reindeer do not fly, or at least that is the impression I always had. He lives in Finland, actually, not in the North Pole, like the American version. His home and workshop is in Korvatunturi.
Joulupukki also has his very own tv programme every year, where you can call to send messages and wish someone a happy Christmas. It is live, I think, so you get a very direct contact to Pukki.
Gnomes (tontut) are very closely associated with Christmas now, but historically, they were creatures of everyday lives of people. They took care of your house, and if you made them angry, they would do tricks on you. The gnomes are a bit different here, usually older looking people, round and kind.
Also, if you would like a movie recommendation, I really like Joulutarina (2007). It is very christian version though, and for some reason, Pukki flies. I think they just thought it looked cool, I guess. Another classic here is Joulupukki ja noitarumpu (1996), but just to warn people, it is unfortunately very racist against the Sami people. I think it still is shown every year on tv. It is also uploaded in yt, but I doubt it has subtitles. The art is so nice, but makes me sad how it depicts the Sami. :(
@@meriadoc_9813that’s fascinating, thanks so much for sharing!! And I think in other parts of the world Santa lives at the North Pole because Finland is as far north as most people can imagine going😂
I’m from Austin, TX 😎
I love these kind of videos from you
That means a lot cause these are my favorite videos to make!!
This is a beautiful video! In Germany, Santa Claus is called St. Nikolaus and comes on December 6th. The night before, children put out a plate with a sugar cube in the garden or somewhere outside the house. The sugar cube is for Nikolaus' white stallion. Nikolaus is dressed like a traditional bishop with mitra and golden, arched cane. He comes from the North Pole and rides on a white stallion. As the children wake up the next morning, they see their plate full of nuts, tangerines,gingerbread and usually a small gift, like a pair of gloves or a nice pen. It's a miniature Christmas before Christmas. I really liked it almost more than Christmas.
That sounds lovely :)
In The Netherlands and Belgium, Sint-Nicolaas (or Sinterklaas, as it is normally called) comes from Spain and if you are a bad kid, he will take you to Spain. Traditionally, the presents are given 5-6th December and not during Christmas.
I was actually impressed by your Italian pronunciation, from an Italian subscriber :)
Glad to hear it😆
This video is fascinating! I love folclore and mythology, especially the ones about Christmas and Yule! Thank you so much for sharing these stories!
So glad you enjoyed it!
Being from Scandinavia and living here most of ny life, but lived in Luxembourg when I was very young, I have been exposed to a small handful of different traditions.
Mostly Scandinavian Santa and therefore our nisser (sometimes similar to Santa's elves, but waaaay more complex).
I have also experiences a December, where we got a visit from Saint Nicholas and Schwarte Pete. (Think Ana's description of Knecht Ruprecht, but the gift giving and punishing character divided into 2 people... Today probably a bit racially insensitive, but that's a longer discussion)
But also: There was an advent calendar on TV when I was a child that introduced us to a good amount of these different versions of Santa Claus. We, by others, learned about Knecht Ruprecht, Saint Nicholas, Befana, and more that I dont remember at the moment.
Always love learning things like this, loved the video Ana!
I just found your channel, your videos are awesome! Keep it up, my friend!
Thank you, welcome!
Such a great and fun video. Thank you!
i didn't even know you had another channel 🤭 can't wait to binge these videos thank you!
I love that Christmas is a Roman holiday and several other religious festivals in a giant trenchcoat 🧥 ⛄️ 🎅
For real, it's so easy this time of year to blend in with Christian culture while relating to an older spirituality!
i don't usually celebrate christmas and festive seasons in my culture (i'm from asia) but loved this video from you!! your narration is sooo interesting and detailed~ please continue to make such videos!
Thank you so much!! :)
I grew up w the St. Niklaus tradition in Germany. Me and my sister would always put our boots outside and my mom would put oranges, chocolate, and a little gift in it. It’s a whole lot of oranges though. Everybody gives you oranges that evening😂
Love that!! My family does that too in Romania ❤
7:20 made me giggle! I love this content from you ❤️ this was so interesting
It was the Roman emperor Constantine the great that decided to combine Christianity with paganism in hopes to unify and strengthen his empire.
Christians were persecuted for refusing to worship the emperor, facing the choice to either bow down or die for their faith. Many chose martyrdom. Witnessing their courage, some soldiers assigned to persecute them were moved and later converted to Christianity. This shift in loyalty led to a decrease in soldiers willing to carry out the emperor's orders, ultimately contributing to the emperor's decision to embrace Christianity and reduce persecution.
In the Netherlands we still celebrate st. Nicholas Day or as we call it: Sinterklaas.
No child grows up without it here. It's great!
He arrives in a boat with his Peetes (or Pieten in Dutch). Then children can put their shoe against the fireplace (or tv nowadays). At his birthday, the 5th of december, he brings presents.
Every year, there is a special Sinterklaasjournaal which tells the news on what is going on with Sinterklaas and his Peetes. And of course every year, it is a challenge for Sinterklaas to get everything done. This year he got sick for instance.
There is also controversy because it has been said that the Sinterklaasjournaal gives the kids too much anxiety.😅
Also fun for adults to watch because they subtly put current political stuff in there. Last year there were elections in november and by chance, the kids also needed to vote on their favorite Pete.
Dr. Ana, why do you think more recent belief systems tend to split the good/evil paradigm?
My understanding from what I've read (as a layperson when it comes to history) is that patriarchal, monotheistic religions arose during a time when there was a surplus of food due to increasing agricultural systems, and men who were no longer spending extended periods away to hunt began experiencing a bit of an identity crisis. They started banding together, creating deities in their own images, and using fearmongering and violence to eradicate the old religions.
I would like a video on goat related mythology and why christianism portray evil (devil/satan) like this... Im guessing because it is linked to paganism 🤷♀️ and polytheism
Yep, that's why! Goats and horned gods were part of the old religions, so Christianity had to demonize them. You might find that in the following books!
-Witches and Pagans by Max Dashu
-The Great Cosmic Mother
I would still pet the cat 😂😂😂 I have a white vicious cat and she's too cute. 🤔 Maybe these multicultural myths come from winter survival and sort of hopefulness that warmer days with more supplies will come. They gather as a community for warmth and to collect supplies to survive the harsh snowy days. They needed kids to collaborate as well and be well behaved during this season, cause there was not playing outside?
As you know , i come from a warmer region of the world, and although we have tons of tales and ethnical myths, we lack this santa type archetype.
Aww love that you have a Yule cat 😂
I would be horrified if someone ate the porridge...
😂😂
Hi Ana! Can you do a video on how to deal with misogyny?
Just using the word misogyny online makes snowflakes lose their minds 😂 It's of course not a reason to avoid making a video on it, but for my own peace I'm reluctant to dive into the topic
Imagine you are stuck inside a very small house or tent with rambunctious children in the winter. You can’t kick them out of the house when it gets dark so early. That’s you answer to the bribery and beatings of those progenitors of Santa Claus.
Did you say you’re Romanian? I am too, I’d love to see some more stuff on Romanian paganism or even just traditions!
Yes, I am!! I have quite a few of them in my debut novel, The Curse in Their Veins :)
I love your video and your attire is gorgeous.
If you are planning to make a video on East Christian Orthodox Christmas traditions, as a Greek Cypriot speaker I would like to offer my assistance.
I knew a Fin who was convinced that Youlopukki is real and that he IS Santa Claus.
That's amazing, I would love to pick that person's brain
Mike Isratael said Santa is it anabolic
does anyone here know of a good book with all the pagan stories and legends?
Unfortunately this video is the culmination of about a dozen Pagan books (and each of them dedicates only a tiny portion to Christmas traditions) and research I once did for a short story, but here are a few recommendations you might enjoy:
-The Wheel of the Year and Ancient Ways by Pauline Campanelli both go into rites and legends during each time of the year.
-I just ordered Chill Tidings: Dark Tales of the Christmas Season. I have no idea which legends are in it so far, though!
@@BookandHearth thanks so much!!
2:15 small nitpick. Jesus isn’t just a Christian prophet he’s their God and Messiah.
Then how did Santa Claus become from all of these 🧐
Honestly, who knows how these legends evolve! But I wonder if the invention of TV and marketing from companies like Coca-Cola brought him to his modern-day legend
It's a phenomenon called Synchretism. Traditions and belief systems may be hostile and mutually exclusive to each other in the short term, but over the course of multiple generations they tend to adopt parts of each other that they like.
Wish you could be santa
I'm new to this channel, are you pagan?
Ofc
@@hectorpikipiki thank u