Dec
23
Filed Under (General) by Rob on 23-12-2007

Yes, here’s photographic proof – I saw Santa Claus the other day, all dressed in red and white.

The only trouble is, the Santa Claus I saw was a Nigerian cargo ship:

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Well, there you go! I wonder which came first, the colours or the name? And is it true that Santa is only red and white because of Coca Cola? Anyone know?? Have a good Christmas!

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Comments:
5 Comments posted on "Santa Claus DOES exist…"
Michael PZ on December 24th, 2007 at 3:29 pm #

haha. fantastic!


Reggie on December 24th, 2007 at 6:07 pm #

I hear it is too hot in Benin for reindeer, so Santa has to travel by boat!


Brian A on December 27th, 2007 at 6:49 am #

Apparently, our modern Santa is the result of a number of different folklores immigrated to America by people from around the world. Various legendary winter solstice characters were tall and thin, round and fat, cherubin like the baby jesus, riding a carriage pulled by goats, and even a witch flying down chimneys on her broomstick. They also came in various colors, from white fur to green capes to purple or yellow stockings. The popular media of newspapers and magazines in America in the early industrial era, especially spurred by commercial interests, combined and solidified elements from each tradition – eventually settling in the collective conscious as a Jolly fat man clad in a furred suit. In poems, stories and illustration, the red and white color scheme was already popular before Coca Cola sealed the deal in the 1930s with a memorable advertising campaign featuring the image of Santa as we know him today.
An interesting note: One of Santa’s most important origins is a kindly monk who renounced his material possessions to help the sick and the poor approx. 300 A.D. in what is now modern-day Turkey. His name was Saint Nicholas, or Sinter Klaas as the Dutch immigrants to America called him, and he was known as the patron saint and protector of children and sailors. I wonder if the crew of the ‘Santa Claus’ know the good luck that the name of their boat brings them!


Will on December 31st, 2007 at 5:37 am #

Yeah I hear that Rudolph got sick so he went by ship this year. That explains why there is a bunch of coral and plankton in my yard!!

-Will Hussar


Will on December 31st, 2007 at 5:51 am #

Just saying hello. Is that the Cotonou Port? It’s looks familar! GWH

From,
Will Hussar