Yuletide: The Viking Origins of Santa Claus
The word “yuletide,” referring to the Christmas season, was passed to the British through the Vikings. The word originated with the Viking god Odin, whose persona associated with the month of December was Jul, and the month of December was called “Jultid.” The Vikings believed that Odin would come to earth during the month of December, in the “jultid,” disguised in a long hooded cloak, and carrying bread to distribute to poor homes. “Drinking jul” referred to the ancient Scandinavian tradition of drinking beer in honor of the gods.
In a more somber tradition that is similar to the Celtic celebration of Samhain, or the Mexican Dias de los Muertos, Norse people believed that the dead returned to their homes during the darkest time of winter, in a procession called the “Åsgårdsreien.” The returning ghosts rode on black horses, eating all the Christmas food and drinking the Christmas beer. The tradition of letting candles burn on Christmas night, and leaving food on the tables, similar to the Halloween Jack o’ Lantern tradition, was a way of welcoming the returning spirits of the dead.
The Saxons—early Germans—had a tradition of welcoming “King Frost” or “King Winter.” By inviting and welcoming the coming of winter as a deity, King Winter would be more kind to them during the severe winter months.
The two traditions eventually merged, giving us one some early origins for the traditions we know associate with Father Christmas or Santa Claus: a hooded figure coming at the beginning of the winter time, leaving gifts and bringing good fortune with secret visits.
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