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Santa Claus
When it comes to Christmas, I have to talk about this old man,
But in addition to the classic image of red and white beard,
How much do you know about his history?
About the origin - the legend of Bishop St. Nicholas
According to legend, Santa Claus is called St. Nicholas,
Living in the 4th century AD in the city of Gram, Asia Minor,
He is a kind, generous and very good rich man to his children.
Image of St. Nicholas
Near his quarters there were three beautiful maidens,
Once, because I couldn't pay my debt,
Their fathers had to sell their daughters to creditors.
Nicholas knew about it,
And he put three stockings in gold,
Secretly hanging in front of the girls' windows, he rescued them.
Nicholas did many good deeds in his life,
Always like to help the poor in secret,
Santa Claus has gradually become a love name for him.
About the image
"Black, white, red, yellow, a variety of colors to choose from",
The early Santa Claus was not what people were familiar with.
In the 17th century,
People decorate their homes with evergreen plants in winter,
The early Santa Claus was also dressed in a green coat,
It means that it has the magic power to make everything evergreen.
Near Watson, Australia, the conductors of the trains dressed up as Santa Claus and greeted the Aboriginal women.
Photo by William Albert Allard, National Geographic
Until 1931,
The Coca-Cola Company hired illustrator Haddon Sundblom,
Make a Christmas commercial for it,
Thus the classic image of Santa Claus was born.
Reindeer mount
After santa claus, let's take a look at his mounts.
Santa Claus has 9 reindeer with different names:
Rudoph Rudoph, Dasher, Dancer Danancer,
Dancing Praancer, Female Fox Vixen, Comet Comet,
Cupid Cupid, Donner Donner, Lightning Bliss.
In Svalbard, Norway, a reindeer gallops around the island.
Photographed by Paul Nicklen
About reindeer,
They are the only kind of deer with horns, both male and female,
The annual antler shedding cycle distinguishes the male from the female.
Female deer usually get pregnant in November or December,
At this time, adult males due to a decrease in testosterone levels,
This causes changes in bone cells, which in turn cause the antlers to fall off.
Therefore, on Christmas Eve, I work for Santa Claus,
Most likely a female reindeer,
And it is more likely that the female will be pregnant.
Christmas trees and mistletoe parasitism
It is said that the Christmas tree first appeared on the Festival of Saturnalia in mid-December in ancient Rome.
Later the Germans made December 24 a holiday for Adam and Eve.
Put a "paradise tree" at home that symbolizes the Garden of Eden,
The small cookie hanging from the tree symbolizes atonement,
Candles and balls symbolize Christ.
The commonly used tree species for Christmas trees is usually
Conifers, Pinaceae, Fir, Spruce, etc.
In addition to the Christmas tree, during the holiday season,
Every household will hang a mistletoe wreath at the door,
And it is said that they kissed under the garland,
You can get long-term love.