Will the Real Santa Please Stand Up: The Evolution of St. Nick
At rawpixel, we’re unlocking the doors to our public domain library, revealing the many faces of Santa Claus through the ages this Christmas season.
Santa Claus, the cherished icon of holiday cheer, has journeyed through centuries. He’s evolved from the stern 19th-century St. Nicholas to today’s jolly, red-suited figure.
Ready for a throwback? Let’s rewind to when Santa wasn’t yet a global superstar. Before the red suit and reindeer, there was just a dude named St. Nick.
A Saint Behind the Legend
Before he hit the big time, Santa was actually St. Nicholas of Myra.
Picture this: Fourth century Turkey, pre-Instagram, just a humble bishop with a heart of gold. He helped the poor without any need of attention or content for his vlog.
But word got out. St. Nicholas became famous for his secret gift-giving. He would leave coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him — you heard that right: shoes! The OG secret Santa.
And ever wondered how Santa Claus got his name? It’s a global journey from the 4th-century saint to a holiday icon.
Centuries after St. Nicholas of Myra’s death, the Dutch honored him as Sinterklaas. This Dutch version of Saint Nicholas crossed over to the New World in the 1600s with Dutch settlers in New Amsterdam — the place we now call New York.
In New York, Sinterklass underwent a linguistic evolution amidst the melting pot of cultures. The name morphed to the local tongue and emerged as Santa Claus.
Santa’s Glow Up Revolution
Santa’s initial pictorial depictions reveal a simpler, more solemn persona, capturing the essence of his humble and religious roots.
Fast forward to the 19th century, and Santa gets a fashion upgrade.
Gone are the traditional, humble robes of a monk, replaced by tailored, fire-red, fur-lined coats.
His attire slowly materialized into the ubiquitous figure of commerce and holiday cheer we know today.
Step into the roaring 1920s and beyond, where Santa Claus got a major glow-up, all thanks to — wait for it — a soda ad!
That’s right, Coca-Cola revamped the beloved Saint Nick from a threadbare man-of-God to a red-carpet-ready pop icon.
Picture this: It’s the early twentieth century, jazz trumpets blaring, flappers dancing, prohibition cocktails clinking, and amidst all this, Coca-Cola decides it’s time for this saintly bishop to get an official make-over.
Airbrush out those stern looks from humble life devoted to God, in comes the jolly, red-nosed rosy-cheeked dude we all know and love.
Sporting a suit redder than a cherry slushie, this new Santa starts popping up everywhere, from billboards to magazines, flashing a megawatt smile like he just won the lottery.
This wasn’t just a wardrobe change: It was a brand revolution.
Coca-Cola’s Santa was like the first influencer. He was everywhere, spreading cheer and, well, Coke. Santa became synonymous with the joy and warmth of the season, all while sipping that famously stimulating fizzy drink.
Talk about product placement!
Global Icon Status Secured
Santa’s image continued to adapt, absorbing cultural influences from around the globe.
From the serene Japanese Santa to spirited US wartime versions, Santa became a symbol of the feeding-frenzy of consumerism and good cheer during the Christmas season worldwide.
Santa Claus’s transformation from a humble saint to a global symbol of Christmas is both fascinating and delightful. It’s a journey through time and culture, reflecting the changing tides of history and society.
rawpixel’s public domain collection is a testament to this journey, offering a treasure trove of vintage Santa Claus Christmas designs, perfect for infusing holiday projects with nostalgia and timeless charm.
Check out our blog post “Ultimate Vintage Christmas Design Guide” for tips and tricks to remix our vintage Christmas posters and incorporate our public domain elements into your designs
