How old is Santa? History on the saint, how he became associated with Christmas
Frosty the Snowman. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The Grinch.
These characters are among many that are associated with Christmas time. But none are quite as synonymous with the season as the jolly gentleman in red.
No matter if you call him Kris Kringle, Father Christmas or Santa Claus, the legendary figure is known for delivering toys to good children on Christmas Eve, traveling in his sleigh with the help of his reindeer.
But how did Santa become the holiday's figurehead? Here's a history lesson on ol' Saint Nick.
How old is Santa?
Santa Claus' origins date back to about 280 A.D. when St. Nicholas was born, the History Channel reports. This would make Santa approximately 1,744 years old today.
The monk was known for his piety and kindness. He would eventually become known as "the protector of children and sailors." His feast day is celebrated on Dec. 6, falling on his death date. Historically, the day was considered to be "lucky" for making large purchases and getting married, according to the History Channel.
Some legends suggest that St. Nicholas would return on his feast day, dressed in a red bishop's robe. He'd deliver sweets and presents to good children and coal and potatoes to bad children, Britannica reports.
While some cultures still celebrate St. Nicholas Day and its traditions, the figure of Santa Claus is more commonly associated with Christmas.
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How did Santa get his name?
St. Nicholas remained a popular figure throughout Europe, especially in Holland. "Santa Claus" derives from his Dutch name, "Sint Nikolaas," or "Sinter Klaas" for short.
Dutch immigrants began to spread knowledge of the saint to the American public in the late 1700s. In December 1773 and 1774, families in New York were said to have gathered in celebration of his feast day, the History Channel reports.
John Pintard, a member of the New York Historical Society, helped shape modern depictions of Santa after he distributed woodcuts of St. Nicholas at the society’s annual meeting in 1804. The backgrounds of these woodcuts displayed stockings filled with toys and fruit hanging over a fireplace, a scene that resembles the imagery we still associate with Santa today.
By 1809, stories of Sinter Klaas became popularized through Washington Irving's book, "The History of New York." Irving referred to Claus as "the patron saint of New York," according to the History Channel.
The 1822 poem "An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas," commonly called "'Twas The Night Before Christmas," furthered the narrative that Santa was a "right jolly old elf" who rode a sleigh to give gifts to well-behaved kids.
In 1881, Santa's image was solidified by cartoonist Thomas Nast who depicted Mr. Claus as a large man with a white beard, red suit and a sack full of toys.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How old is Santa Claus? History behind the Christmas legend
