Was Odin the original Santa Claus?

The pagan influence behind the jolly old man loved today

Many of the trappings of Christmas, from decorating a tree to the date of the celebration itself, can be traced back to earlier pagan traditions for winter and end of year festivals. But did you know how much the Norse god Odin has in common with Santa Claus?

Pre-Christian Germanic and norse peoples celebrated Yule. During this time, Odin would go on his ‘wild hunt’ in the sky. Children would leave their boots filled with straw for his eight-legged horse, Sleipnir, and when Odin flew past he would leave them gifts like toys and sweets in return — much like how children today put food out for Santa’s reindeer when he visits their homes to leave them presents.

Gift giving is not the only way in which Odin and Santa Claus are similar characters. Odin is frequently portrayed with a long, white beard, just like Saint Nicholas, and he rode his horse across the sky much like how Father Christmas rides with his reindeer and sleigh.

Also, Odin had the uncanny ability to always know if someone had been good or bad. For those who were bad, he would hand out punishments and many feared that he was watching them at all times. This is a skill that Santa Claus also possesses, although it would seem that worst punishment from him would be a lump of coal.

Pagan traditions became assimilated into Christian ones as Christianity took hold across Europe. It is reasonable to suggest that Santa, a Christian figure, supplanted Odin’s place as worship of pagan deities was eventually banned and, in doing so, he also took on a few of Odin’s characteristics.

The link was strong enough that when the Nazis attempted to appropriate Christmas into a new, non-religious holiday they chose Odin as their gift-giving figure to replace the Christian Saint Nicholas.

Banner Image: Public Domain/ ginnungagap.info