In Scandinavia, Santa Claus is referred to by a variety of different names depending on the country. In Denmark, Santa is known as “Julemanden”, which translates to “The Christmas Man”. In Sweden, the term “Tomte or “The Tomten” is used to refer to Santa Claus.
This term is derived from an old Scandinavian mythological figure of the same name. In Norway, Santa is known as “Julenissen” which translates to “The Christmas Gnome”. He’s often accompanied by a magical goat called “Julenissen’s Gammelgård” – which translates to “Old Yule Goat”.
Finally, in Finland, Santa is known as “Joulupukki”, which translates directly to “Yule Goat”. He is often portrayed riding a goat or in the company of a magical horse called the “Pukkilintu”, which translates to “Yule Bird”.
What is the Scandinavian name for Santa?
In Scandinavian countries, Santa Claus is typically referred to as “Jultomten” or “Julenissen”. Jultomten is a traditional Scandinavian figure associated with Christmas. He is usually depicted as an old man with a white beard, dressed in a red suit and wearing a red or green cap.
Julenissen is often described as the counterpart to Jultomten, and is typically said to be a naughty elf who steals treats from children when they are not watching. He is usually portrayed as being mischievous and humorous, and known for playing pranks on people.
How do you say Santa in Sweden?
In Sweden, Santa Claus is referred to as “Tomte” or “Tomten”. It’s an old Norse word that refers to a mythic figure who lives in the forest and protects the homestead from evil spirits. He is a small figure usually dressed in grey with a red stocking cap, a white beard and sometimes a long white nightshirt.
He is believed to visit homes on Christmas Eve, leaving gifts and sweets for all the children who have been good. He is also sometimes depicted with a gnome- or elf-like face. Interestingly, even though he’s quite a popular figure in Sweden, the tradition of putting out food for him on Christmas Eve and leaving hay for his reindeer is less common, probably because during the 19th century, Tomte was closely associated with witchcraft.
So while he’s still a part of the holiday celebrations in Sweden, the tradition of leaving out goodies hasn’t been commonplace throughout the years.
What do Denmark call Santa?
In Denmark, Santa is known as Julemanden. The word Julemanden is derived from the Old Norse phrase “Julen Gud”, which means “Yule God”. This God was believed to have visited households and handed out gifts to children on the night of Christmas.
In more recent years, Julemanden has become a Christmas figure for all of Denmark, much like Santa Claus is a figure known and celebrated by many in the United States. Julemanden is seen as a kind, jolly figure in his traditional red and white attire.
He often comes with a sack full of presents for children on Christmas Eve and leaves them for them to find on Christmas morning.
What did the Norse call Christmas?
The ancient Norse did not really celebrate what we now know as Christmas, as their winter solstice, or Yule, was celebrated in late December. Yule was celebrated over several days and included a variety of festivities and ceremonies, mostly centered around the return of the Sun God – and their celebrations would eventually blend with the Christian celebrations of modern Christmas.
Yule was a time of much festivity and celebration, in contrast to the darkness of the long, cold nights. The feasting and drinking that took place during Yule would last for days, beginning on the evening of the winter solstice, and ending on the 12th day.
During this time, offerings and sacrifices would be made to the gods, and decorations of evergreen foliage and burning log would be brought into the home and adorn it for the holidays.
Yule also marked the beginning of a new year and was usually a time for making personal resolutions. So, in essence, Yule was a much-anticipated winter solstice celebration and the Norse would mark such occasions by feasting, exchanging gifts, and giving thanks for the long and short year.
What is Santa in Gaelic?
In Irish (or Gaelic) Santa is known as ‘San Nioclás’ or ‘San Niocláis’. This is the name for Saint Nicholas, a Christian figure associated with many wintertime celebrations. He is usually depicted as a merry old man with a white beard wearing a red suit, and is known for bringing presents and joy to children around the world.
He is believed to live in the North Pole, and delivers his presents on Christmas Eve. In Irish folklore, he is sometimes referred to as ‘Auld Papa’ or ‘Auld Nick’. His counterpart in northern Scotland is known as ‘San t-Seòid, while in Scotland he is known as ‘San Niklaus’.
Whatever the name, San Nioclás is an important part of Irish culture, especially during the holiday season.
What do they call Santa in Finland?
In Finland, Santa Claus is known as “Joulupukki” (literally translated to mean Christmas Goat or Yule Goat). Joulupukki is believed to have been derived from a Nordic myth dating back to the Viking era, where a demonic goat character called Jularbo roamed the countryside.
He was believed to know if children had been naughty or nice and if they had been naughty, Joulupukki would play tricks on them. Over the years, the myth has been changed and Joulupukki is now a popular figure in Finland who is associated with spreading Christmas cheer.
Although other countries may have their own references to Santa Claus, in Finland specifically, he is referred to as Joulupukki.
What country calls Santa joulupukki?
Finland is the country that calls Santa joulupukki. The Finns actually have two different characters for Christmas: the joulupukki and the jouluruuvi. Joulupukki is the traditional Finnish Santa Claus figure and jouluruuvi is the gift-bringer and associated with St.
Nicholas. He is often depicted as an elderly man wearing a red coat and a black hat with a holly sprig in it, traveling on a sleigh pulled by a team of white horses. Joulupukki is usually accompanied by juoksuhautaus, a figure often dressed up in fur coats and carrying a sack of presents.
Joulupukki is said to arrive at the fireplace on Christmas Eve, often accompanied by the Finnish version of reindeer, a “reindeer king” called Laplandie Elf. It is said that he comes down the chimney with the giftbearing juoksuhautaus.
After singing Christmas carols and handing out presents to the children, the joulupukki leaves the house, sometimes leaving a carrot or a stick in the fireplace for the reindeer.
Joulupukki has become an integral part of Christmas celebrations in Finland, and his popularity has grown since the late 19th century. The word joulupukki literally means “Christmas goat” in Finnish, a reference to the old Scandinavian tradition of exchanging presents with a goat.
This tradition still remains a beloved part of the Finnish Christmas rituals so much so that adults and children alike dress up as joulupukki during the holiday season.
How does Sweden say Santa?
In Sweden, Santa Claus is referred to as ‘Jultomten’. This literal translation is ‘Christmas Gnome’. In addition to this term, he is also often referred to as ‘Tomtenissen’ or ‘Tomtegubben’. One way to translate the latter term is ‘the old man of the homestead’.
Along with this, there is ‘Jultomte’, which translates to ‘Christmas gnome’.
Why do people say Santa is from Lapland?
Santa Claus is widely believed to come from Lapland, a region spread across northern Finland, Sweden, Norway, and the Russian Republic of Kola, mainly because of ancient stories and folklore dating back centuries.
One of the most popular stories involves St. Nicholas (aka Santa―a shortening of his Dutch name, Sinter Klaas), and his journey to Lapland to bring gifts to some of the region’s most underprivileged children.
The harsh cold winters, deep snows, and barren landscapes of Lapland present the perfect backdrop for the fantastic tales of Santa and his elves. Scientists have even found evidence of the Santa Clause legend in the northern light gods of Lapland’s ancient indigenous people, the Sámi.
The cultural and environmental features of Lapland are ideal for the Santa clause imagery reinforced by the traditions that accompany Christmas and the winter holidays. The real reason Santa is said to come from Lapland, however, is pop culture.
Children’s books, stores, television, songs and movies have associated Santa with Lapland for decades, and generations of children have grown up with that image—so much so, that people now accept it as fact.
What perkele means?
Perkele is a Finnish swear word, originating from the Swedish word for devil, which does not have any direct translation into English. While it is a swear word, it can also be used as an expression of frustration, exclamation, or surprise.
It’s often used in friendly banter or as a potential replacement for English curse words. In some cases, it can even be used as a mild expression of affection.
What is the European Santa called?
The European Santa is known as Father Christmas, or sometimes simply as Santa. While he may be commonly thought of as a jolly man in a red suit with a white beard, Father Christmas has had many different forms throughout Europe’s rich history, being known as different names and taking on a wide variety of looks.
Father Christmas has been depicted in art, literature and lore as everything from a horned hunter to a wild man of the woods, from a beggar to a lordly figure. In many places in Europe, Father Christmas is his own separate figure, distinct from Santa himself and traditionally celebrated in midwinter.
Father Christmas is often associated with the Yule or Christmas season and is a beloved holiday figure in many parts of Europe.
Do Europeans have Santa?
Yes, Europeans do have Santa. Although the Santa Claus figure and associated traditions we know in America were largely shaped by imagination, literature and folklore, the traditions and celebrations that occur around the winter holiday season can be found in many European cultures.
For example, in Norway, Julenisse (Christmas Gnome) is a popular figure and brings gifts. In France, Père Noël (“Father Christmas”) is said to bring gifts on Christmas Eve. Similarly, in England, children await the arrival of Father Christmas on the night before Christmas.
Meanwhile, the German figure Sankt Nikolas (St. Nicholas) is considered to be the origin of the original Santa Claus that we recognize in the United States today. In some German-speaking areas, children leave their Christmas wishes in a boot outside their home for Sankt Nikolas to deliver.
In Russia, Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) also delivers gifts on New Year’s Day, although his figure still differs from the traditional American Santa Claus being adorned in a long bear-fur coat, red hat, and carried a magical staff.
Many other European countries have their own Santa-like figure for the holidays. Clearly, the holiday season brings its own traditions, figures, and special celebrations to many parts of the world.
What is Father Christmas called in Europe?
Father Christmas, also known as Santa Claus, is a beloved holiday figure in many parts of the world. In Europe, particularly England, the traditional figure is known as Father Christmas. The figure of Father Christmas dates back to the 16th century when it was used as a symbol of joy and goodwill during winter celebrations and the festive season.
In Britain, he is usually depicted as an elderly man wearing a traditional long red cloak and a hood, as well as a beard, a sack of gifts, and a staff. He is a symbol of giving and kindness, and is associated with many seasonal celebrations such as Christmas and New Year’s.
Father Christmas is also known in some parts of Europe as Saint Nicholas and Pere Noel in French.
Is Santa German or Dutch?
The answer to whether Santa is German or Dutch really depends on which version of Santa you’re referring to. While many of us are familiar with the traditional, jolly figure of the North American Santa rooted in American and British folklore, he has several origin stories around the world.
In Europe, Santa Claus is either referred to as Santa or Saint Nicholas.
In German folklore, Santa is known as ‘der Weihnachtsmann’, or the Christmas man. He is typically portrayed as an old man with a long white beard, rosy cheeks and a red suit. He lives on the North Pole and delivers gifts on Christmas Day.
Der Weihnachtsmann is often accompanied by the ‘Krampus’, a figure from Alpine folklore.
In Dutch folklore, Santa is known as Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas). Sinterklaas is a tall figure with a white beard, usually dressed in a red cape and traditional bishop’s hat. In this Dutch version of Santa, he arrives each year on his white horse and is accompanied by his helpers.
Children put out treats for Sinterklaas and his helpers, and Sinterklaas leaves gifts in return.
Overall, Santa is both German and Dutch, depending on which version of the Christmas story you are referring to.