Nicholas In Furs

Kris Kringle - Belsnickle - Nicholas in Furs

European influence of the 'santa claus' character started to show a new strand of information around 1820 in North America, beginning primarily in the Pennsylvania USA area amongst Dutch settlements. Kris Kringle was also known as Belsnickle, derived from the German "Pelz-Nickle" = "Nicholas in Furs." This influence didn't begin just in 1820 - it began much sooner, however, by 1820 we have an interesting development in the evolution of Santa Claus, and can pinpoint a strong trend in how Santa is 'visually' presented even to this day.

It is said that Belsnickle would travel around the Pennsylvanian countryside with bells in hand, treats bundled in a sack, and he was on the lookout for good children to give cakes and nuts (treats) to. If he came upon children who had been misbehaving throughout the year, he would warn them to be good next year, else they might earn a smack from his rod next year! This Belsnickle was basically a fatty-boy (plump), with red cheeks, and not so stern or bossy as some other 'Santas.' His interest was primarily in children, as well.

* Note - many other Euro-versions were similar but promoted 'goodwill' to families and all, some issued 'advice' or saved families by trying be anonymous in leaving gifts of gold, sacks of gold, etc. (one German St. Nicholas version has St. Nicholas leaving 3 bags of gold to a family where the father is distraught about having to send his daughters out to make money by prostitution or else lose all of the family belongings, their home, their stability in their community - this is SERIOUS Santa Clause SH*T! St. Nick saves the entire family by leaving a very considerable amount of gold - enough for at least two daughters to have a 'dowry' for marriages! Serious Santa Claus stuff, eh?). The "Belsnickle" version promoted by Dutch settlers is mostly seen giving 'fair warnings' about behaviors to CHILDREN. Belsnickle didn't seem as intent on providing gift solutions to entire communities, families, etc., as in other 'European' versions of the same figure.

Although of the 3 primary 'versions of Santa' (Kris Kringle, Santa, St. Nick), I searched for, 'Kris Kringle' searches yeilded the least 'decent' information, Belsnickle or Kris Kringle's 'motives' and 'appearance' seem to be the enduring points of "Santa Claus" that we are familiar with today!

Dutch influence promoting this 'Kris Kringle' seems to be what has given modern day "Santa" his 'jolly' tendency, including a 'plump,' robust appearance and red cheeks and nose. These points are typically the qualifications one needs to don "Santa gear" and work in the malls during the holiday season, or provide entertainment at Christmas parties as a rented "Santa" these days.

Dutch settlers who promoted the ideas of Kris Kringle may not have developed a strong 'mythology' or set of stories to go along with their 'significant version of santa,' however, the simplicity of and visual aspects of their version show up prominently today. Perhaps it wasn't that the Dutch didn't build mythology, but instead, relied on the already existing tales of Christkind, Kris Kringle, SinterKlaus, etc.

* this point requires more research, however, what is stated in the above paragraph is my best guess so far about how we've ended up with this very strong 'Dutch visual' requirement of Kris Kringle and how this has ended up as our present, enduring "Jolly, fat, red-cheeked Santa" that every North American child over the age of 2 is familiar with!

The larger idea of a gift-giving person who makes his rounds at a certain time of year certainly has a stronger set of 'stories' - mythological background - derived from very strong German sources, versus the 'Dutch version,' - however, the "German Kris Kringle" (or Christkind, Pelsnickle, Nikkolus, Nicholaus, etc) is typically very different in appearance than the 'form' that Dutch settlers pushed forward since the early 1800's.

It has already been an amazing journey I've begun into story origins on the topic of "Santa Claus." With respect to my previous post, I am truly convinced now that I was right when saying that research into this topic needs to start around February or March of the year in order to be well-rounded by the month of December!

Forgive my stumbling - I know there's more extensive information on the Dutch Belsnickle, as well, however, I haven't actually applied formal 'research methodology' and used the library yet. I have relied on Internet Resources, most of which are littered (of course) with sales pitches, everywhere that "Santa" is mentioned. Most sites are interested in providing a short, curt phrase or two on the most common 'Santa origins' - in order to ensure that Google Adsense will place decent advertising on the sites (or for other obviously 'commercial' motives). Then I am led to purchase an item and "Santa" information is obviously lacking from there on out!

I'll keep trying searches throughout the holiday season, but am now also interested in making this 'Search For Santa's Origins' part of an on-going project in the year 2009. I am interested to see if I will be able to dig up much better information and resources ONLINE once the holiday season is behind us. My guess is that more educational sites will turn up in search engine searches once "Christmas Season" has passed.

Currently, I have to conclude that the 'Coca-Cola Santa' gets his appearance from the Dutch Belsnickle, and also wonder if Coca-Cola's massive commercial influence hasn't also implanted long-lasting, very powerful visual images for us today that make us feel adamant that "Santa is a Jolly, red-cheeked, fat-boy - HO HO HO!"

Legendary Santa Clause or Coke Santa?

Do you call the old Jolly guy Santa? Kris Kringle? St. Nickolaus or just Saint Nick?

By any handle, Santa Clause is truly an outstanding, most substantial myth and character, complete with on-going dilemmas!

This legendary figure, Santa, is perpetual, still evolving, and if you don't believe me, do some searches and try to find a long-ago story of the origin of Santa Clause. You'll get hit with so many versions and aspects of the happy, Jolly, red-cheeked, gift-giver that you'll simply get overwhelmed.

That's what just happened to me! I had intended on posting about 3 of the most common 'Santa Clause' stories, give a Kris Kringle, a modern "Santa," and a Saint Nicholas version on the blog and then call my blogging done for the day.

However.....once I got searching, I realized that one could make an entire study, a very time-consuming and involved study of Santa mythology and origin that would take MONTHS to complete...and still

...not have completed a very conclusive project! That would be a project to begin in, say, February or no later than March. To be wrapped up in time for Christmas of the same year!

LOL

Wow, I didn't realize that the 'Coke Santa' joke is actually considered a myth now - and has gained due attention by the Snopes mythbusting/confirmation site, listed in detail on the fact-checking site. Yeah - the joke/comments about Coca-Cola having been the ones to 'start the Santa myth' go even further than this mention I'm making on my blog. The whole 'Coca-Cola-made-Santa' idea has VERSIONS, alternate explanations to it now, too...

Simply AMAZING!!

Now I have to go back to the drawing board and figure out which Santa to follow up on. Who would have thought that writing on an almost universally well-known and well-loved persona would get so COMPLEX right at the start?

I have to re-think on which Santa to blog about, and the considerations range all the way from Saint Nicholas of Myra to - Santa-Smurf!

Wow, Santa is everywhere already by this time of the year!

Ho Ho Ho