Santa may have begun as woman: According to folklorists and neo-pagan enthusiasts, the Santa Claus character of popular American Christmastide actually is predated several thousand years by Holda, the pagan Teutonic goddess of good fortune. Frau Holda, as she is more popularly known, has been sliding down chimneys, delivering gifts to children, and traveling via an airborne cart, according to German mythology and folklore, since at least several hundred years before the birth of Christ.
Apparently, Santa Claus, as we know him, may be a composite of several figures, including St Nicholas (minus the six to eight black men who beat naughty children with tree branches, of course) and Frau Holda, or Holde.
Apparently, Holda may not wear red, which might make her unique among the various holiday beneficent figures. And she may also be a patron goddess of women.
Posted by iain at December 24, 2002 12:40 AMComments
