Christmas characters

In Christian tradition the Magi, also known as the Three Wise Men or Kings from the east, are Zoroastrian judicial astrologers or magi who according to Matthew 2:1 came "from the east to Jerusalem", to worship the Infant Jesus, him "that is born King of the Jews". Thus the magi that came from the east, from the Persian Empire, were the world's first religious figures to worship him. Among their gifts were chrismatic herbs for anointing him the Christ. Their traditional names are Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar. ...more on Wikipedia about "Biblical Magi"

A Caganer (kə-γə-'ne) is a little statue unique to Catalonia, Spain, and neighbouring areas with Catalan influence such as Andorra. ...more on Wikipedia about "Caganer"

The Christkind ("Christ Child") is the traditional Christmas giftbringer in Southern Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein. Originally invented by Martin Luther, it was adopted in catholic areas during the 19th century, while it began to be gradually replaced by the secular Weihnachtsmann ("father Christmas") in protestant regions. ...more on Wikipedia about "Christkind"

The Companions of Saint Nicholas (or Father Christmas) are a group of closely related figures who accompany St. Nicholas in many European traditions. The tradition is particularly strong amongst the Germanic peoples, with some regional expression in America (largely from European ethnic groups). ...more on Wikipedia about "Companions of Saint Nicholas"

In the Russian culture the traditional character Ded Moroz ( ) plays a role similar to that of Santa Claus. The literal translation of the name would be Grandfather Frost, however English-speakers traditionally translate it as Father Frost. During Soviet times, Ded Moroz also replaced the traditional Christmas character of Saint Nicholas in Ukraine and Belarus. ...more on Wikipedia about "Ded Moroz"

Dziadek Mróz ( , "Grandpa Frost") is the Polish translation of Russian Ded Moroz.This figure was introduced during occupation of Poland by Soviet Union . In communist-ruled People's Republic of Poland the figure Dziadek Mróz was used in propaganda, since the traditional Święty Mikołaj ( Saint Nicholas, the Polish Santa Claus) was determined to be "ideologically hostile", as part of the campaign against religion, which included elimination of Christmas in favor of New Year. Often officials insisted on using the figure in Polish schools and preschools during celebrations and events for Polish children, instead of Santa Claus in order to give impression of traditional cultural links with Soviet Russia. Nevertheless the attempts to eliminate Święty Mikołaj were without success. ...more on Wikipedia about "Dziadek Mróz"

Dzied Maroz ( Belarusian: Дзед Мароз, Dzied Maróz, literally "Grandfather Frost") is the Belarusian analogue of Russian Ded Moroz. His official residence is located in Biełavieskaja Pušča. ...more on Wikipedia about "Dzied Maroz"

Ebenezer Scrooge is the main character in Charles Dickens' 1843 novella A Christmas Carol. His name has come into the English language as a byword for miserliness and misanthropy, traits displayed by Scrooge in the exaggerated manner for which Dickens is well-known. The story of his transformation by the three Ghosts of Christmas (Past, Present and Future) is a defining tale of the Christmas holiday. ...more on Wikipedia about "Ebenezer Scrooge"

An elf is a mythical creature of Norse mythology which survived in northern European folklore. Originally a race of minor gods of nature and fertility, elves are often pictured as youthful-seeming men and women of great beauty living in forests and other natural places, underground, or in wells and springs. They have been portrayed to be long-lived or immortal and they have magical powers attributed to them. Following the success of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic The Lord of the Rings—wherein a wise, angelic people named elves play a significant role—they have become staple characters of modern fantasy. ...more on Wikipedia about "Elf"

Father Christmas is a name used in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and several other Commonwealth Countries, as well as Ireland, for the gift bringing figure of Christmas or yuletide. Although Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus (the latter deriving from the Dutch for Saint Nicholas: Sinterklaas), are now used interchangeably, the origins of Father Christmas are quite different. ...more on Wikipedia about "Father Christmas"

Joulupukki is the Finnish name for Santa Claus. The name Joulupukki literally means Yule Goat or Christmas Goat. This name is likely to come from an old Finnish tradition, where people dressed in goat hides, the apparition being called a nuuttipukki, used to go around from house to house after Christmas eating leftover food. ...more on Wikipedia about "Joulupukki"

Julemanden is a mythical character who is said to bring Christmas presents to children in Denmark. ...more on Wikipedia about "Julemanden"

La Befana is a friendly character in Italian folklore, similar to Santa Claus. Her name derives from the festival of Epiphany, and she visits all the children of Italy on the night of 5 January / 6 January to fill their socks with candy if they are good or a lump of coal if they are bad. Being a good housekeeper, many say she will sweep the floor before she leaves. The child's family typically leaves a small glass of wine and a plate with a few morsels of food, often regional or local, for Befana. ...more on Wikipedia about "La Befana"

This is a list of Christmas characters. ...more on Wikipedia about "List of Christmas characters"

Moş Gerilă was, in Communist Romania, a replacement of Father Christmas (Moş Crăciun), being part of the Communist offensive against religion. Its name is a Romanian language adaptation of Russian Ded Moroz ("Father Frost"). ...more on Wikipedia about "Moş Gerilă"

Mrs. Claus is a folk hero, and is the wife of Santa Claus in many modern versions of the Santa Claus legend. ...more on Wikipedia about "Mrs. Claus"

Olentzero is a Basque Christmas tradition. According to Basque traditions Olentzero comes to town late at night on the 24th of December to drop off presents for children. There are many variations of this old tradition. Over the centuries the "story" of Olentzero has been modified over and over again to adapt it to the new times. Also, different villages have created their own interpretations of the tale. In some, Olentzero is just a Christmas log by the fireplace. ...more on Wikipedia about "Olentzero"

(Père Noël) Père Noël is the French equivalent of the British Father Christmas and the American Santa Claus. In general, France has not adopted the modern garb of Santa Claus in jacket and trousers, but keeps to the older version with a long red hooded robe, edged with white fur. His presents are carried not in a sack, but in a basket or hotte on his back, like those carried by grape harvesters. Children do not put out a stocking, but their shoes. A popular Christmas song for children is Papa Noël . ...more on Wikipedia about "Père Noël"

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" is a popular Christmas story that has been told in numerous forms including a popular song, a television special, and even a feature film. ...more on Wikipedia about "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"

Saint Lucy of Syracuse, also known as Saint Lucia, (traditional dates 283- 304) was a rich young Christian martyr who is venerated as a Saint by Catholic and Orthodox Christians. Her feast day in the West is December 13, by the unreformed Julian calendar the longest night of the year; she is the patron saint of blindness. Lucy is the only saint celebrated by the Lutheran Swedes, Finns, Danes, and Norwegians, in celebrations that retain many pre-Christian elements of a midwinter light festival. ...more on Wikipedia about "Saint Lucy"

Saint Nicholas is the common name for Saint Nicholas of Myra, who lived in 4th century Byzantine Lycia (part of modern Turkey), who had a reputation for secret gift-giving. This is as much as is generally known about him in the West. ...more on Wikipedia about "Saint Nicholas"

Santa Claus (also known as Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, Santy or simply Santa) is a folk hero in various cultures who distributes presents to children, traditionally on Christmas Eve. Each name is a variation of Saint Nicholas, but refers to Santa Claus. ...more on Wikipedia about "Santa Claus"

A snowman is a man-like figure constructed from compacted snow. The image of a snowman is popularly connected with Christmas and is embedded in Western culture. Building a snowman is a popular winter recreation for children. ...more on Wikipedia about "Snowman"

The Tió de Nadal (roughly "Christmas log"), also known as "Tió" or "Tronca" ("log"), is a mythological character in Catalan mythology relating to a Christmas tradition widespread in Catalonia. ...more on Wikipedia about "Tió de Nadal"

A tomte or nisse is a mythical creature of Scandinavian folklore, believed to take care of a farmer's home and barn and protect it from misfortune, in particular at night, when the housefolk were asleep. Tomte is the common Swedish name, derived from his place of residence and area of influence: the house lot or tomt. Nisse is the common name in Norwegian, Danish and the Scanian dialect in southernmost Sweden; it is a nickname for Nils, and its usage in folklore comes from expressions such as Nisse god dreng ("Nisse good lad," cf. Robin Goodfellow). ...more on Wikipedia about "Tomte"

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