How do we immediately recognize Santa Claus by his long white beard? What made this one characteristic turn into a potent symbol of warmth, generosity, and joy during the Christmas season?
In this post, we're going to look at the origins of where the Santa beard was born, as well as how it has evolved over the years, and why it is still a defining element of Christmas culture in the present.
We will examine the beard's connection to mythology, literature, art, religion, and contemporary entertainment, providing the complete story of how this adored feature has gained international recognition.
The Story Behind Santa's Beard
The famous Santa Claus image, a playful figure sporting a white, flowing beard, has long-standing historical roots that connect the folklore of various religions as well as the development of our culture.
Understanding the story behind Santa's beard requires examining the rich stories of these tales and understanding the ways they have created the iconic character we have today.
Historical Origins of Santa's Beard
The image of Santa Claus with a white beard can be traced to several major influences:
- Saint Nicholas of Myra was a saint who lived during the fourth century in the region that is now Turkey and Turkey. In the present-day Turkey region, Saint Nicholas was an important Christian bishop who was renowned for his kindness and generosity.
His face was a historical reconstruction that is based on the remains of skeletons, depicting him sporting an expansive face and a soft expression in line with the traditional depictions of Santa Claus.
- Odin is a character from Germanic Mythology. In pre-Christian Germanic legends, Odin was the god of Germanic mythology. Odin appeared as a senile old man with a beard of white.
In the Yuletide season, Odin was believed to be the leader of his followers on the Wild Hunt, riding through the skies with his horse of eight legs, Sleipnir. The imagery was later influenced by depictions of Santa Claus, in particular, the image of an emerald beard and nocturnal gift-giving journeys.
- Father Christmas in England: The 17th century was the time of Father Christmas's emergence. In England, Father Christmas was depicted as a cheerful, bearded figure who carried the spirit of joy in the festive season.
As time passed, his image was merged with the image of Saint Nicholas, which accentuated the image of a bearded man.
Modern Santa Claus: Evolution into Modern Santa Claus
Between the years 19th and 20th witnessed the consolidation of the Santa Claus image.
- The poem of Clement Clarke Moore Poem 1823 poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (commonly referred to as "The Night Before Christmas"), describes Santa as an ebullient, plump figure sporting a white beard and a beard of white, setting the standard for his image in the present.
- Illustrations of Thomas Nast: In the late 1800s, American cartoonist Thomas Nast made drawings of Santa Claus with an ungainly man sporting a white, flowing beard, further establishing this image in popular culture.
- Coca-Cola Advertising. The 1930s saw artist Haddon Sundblom's Coca-Cola advertising depict Santa as a happy, bearded, red-suited figure. It was a symbol that is now synonymous with contemporary Santa Claus.
The Development of the Beard in European Holiday Traditions
Dutch Influence Through Sinterklaas
In the Netherlands, the figure of Sinterklaas was one of the most important links to the modern Santa Claus. Sinterklaas is described as being a gentle, tall man with a white beard who comes in late December to spend time with children.
His beard heavily influenced his appearance, as it instantly identified him. Dutch settlers carried the style throughout the Atlantic to America, and it merged with other influences of American culture and shaped the present Santa.
Father Christmas and His Holiday Presence in England
For a long time in England, Father Christmas emerged as a cheerful winter-themed figure that symbolized the spirit of hospitality, celebration and joy.
Writers and artists often depicted him wearing a long beard, which reflected the ages of his ancestors, their wisdom and a sense of Christmas spirit.
While Father Christmas did not originally give presents, the way he was portrayed created the tone that later evolved into the Santa appearance. The beard's long length was one of the key elements that remained in later customs.
A Mixture of Customs in Early America
When European cultures collided during the early American communities, a variety of holidays were merged into one.
This fusion created a modern model of Santa Claus, a character who embodied the generous spirit of Saint Nicholas as well as the joyful energy of Father Christmas, and the captivating wintertime presence of characters that came from Scandinavian folklore.
Through all this time, the beard remained as one of the most durable and most enduring features due to the fact that it embodied the qualities that people valued the most during the Christmas season.
How Can You Grow a Santa Beard?
The hair on your face is a point of pride for men. Having the Santa Claus Beard is especially stimulating.
What can you do to grow one that gives the Santas in your neighborhood an opportunity to compete with the Santas in your area? Here are five ways to go about wearing the Santa Claus beard this winter.
1. Have Patience
First, what you'll require is patience. Santa Claus' beard is very long, at least 15cm and usually reaching 30cm.
Likely, you will not develop this beard in just the span of a few weeks or days -- it takes several months more likely to develop the size of a beard.
The winter months are a delicate time for your beard since you'd like it to grow longer, but you don't want the hair to break down. If the temperature drops, the use of a beard moisturizer is vital. The Beard Oil is fantastic for winter thanks to the peppermint, cinnamon, and lemongrass scents.
👉Related: What is Beard Oil, its Benefits, and How to Use it?
You can skip the procedure and purchase a Santa Claus beard online, but what's the point of this? Don't be afraid to follow the procedure and grow your beard.
2. Battle Wintry Conditions
Santa Claus beards are -and not surprisingly -- the most well-liked in winter. Winter is the perfect moment to grow the hair on your face because your beard can provide warmth and protection.
Winter is a very common season for experiencing cold stress.
There are times when you may suffer from hypothermia or cold stress that can happen at temperatures up to 50°F and 10 degrees Celsius. The beard is your first line of defense against cold, dry air and freezing temperatures; however, it also requires extra care to ensure it stays healthy.
- Read Next: What is Beard Balm?
In addition to products for your beard and products, it is advised to be careful not to use hot water to wash your beard, as it will dry out your facial hair quickly.
In reality, it is recommended to limit the frequency of washing your beard to once or twice a week to preserve the natural oils in your beard.
3. Eat a Healthy Diet
Santa Claus has a large beard because of artist representations and a touch of magic through the decades. The chocolate chip cookies and milk-based diet should not make for a healthy beard, but he does it regardless.
Think about what his hair could appear like if he had eaten the occasional carrot along with Rudolph.
If you're serious about it, help grow your Santa Claus beard by eating the right diet. The meals you eat for growing your beard should include protein, as it aids in the production of keratin throughout the year, not just during the winter.
Keratin is the protein found that can be found in your hair as well as other parts of the integumentary system; therefore, eating a large portion of fish or steak at dinner could do wonders for your beard.
If you're not a fan of meat products or animal-based foods, then you could boost the amount of protein you consume by eating beans, lentils, soybeans and quinoa, as well as other protein-rich vegan meals.
4. Choose a Safe Beard Dye
Santa Claus typically has a beard that is as smooth as snow. A replica beard doesn't work if your hair's color is brown, black or salt and pepper!
When your beard is enough to satisfy St. Nick, consider the use of a beard dye to make it look as real as possible.
Beard dyes are very popular with people who are starting to get grey and want to restore their color. But you can also take a different route and deliberately dye your beard white to celebrate the holidays. Be sure to research beard dyes before the event.
Crucial because some can irritate the skin or leave an uneven look. If needed, speak with an expert in dermatology regarding the use of beard dyes to ensure your security.
5. Keep It Groomed
Santa Claus's beard almost always has a neat appearance in photos. How does he keep his beard while traveling across the globe in a single night? His impeccable maintenance sets the bar for the rest of us who wish to have facial hair that is as good as his.
Even though Santa Claus has a leg up, we can also grow as well and maintain our beards neat and well-groomed as Santa's.
Beards with large beards require beard combs as they distribute your beard's oils and keep it looking great.
Another component of Santa Claus' beard maintenance is the periodic trimming. If you want a thick beard but you'll need to cut the split ends approximately every month. In addition, you can assist yourself by shaping your own beard to create Santa's lovely beard, which is round.
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How the Santa Beard Became a Cultural Icon
The Rise of Holiday Advertising
In the first half of the 20th century, advertising for Christmas became very popular. The images of Santa convey happy and warm feelings surrounding Christmas shopping. Santa's beard became an integral aspect of that image.
Store windows, posters and magazines showed Santa wearing a long, white beard that portrayed joy and confidence. The beard made brands appear warm and welcoming, and its appearance in advertisements made it immediately recognized by people of all age groups.
Santa in Film and Television
When television and movies grew in popularity, Santa's beard got even more well-known.
The Christmas films depicted Santa with different styles of beards that included curled, long, fluffy and neat or cloud-like versions. The beard was given its own personality and appeal, and people began to connect it to the joy of Christmas.
Whatever the beard appeared, it remained an integral element of Santa's character.
Cultural Variations of Holiday Beards
There are many different cultures with holiday-themed characters that resemble Santa but with distinct beard customs.
The beard of Russia, Ded Moroz, has an icy, long beard, which reflects the cold winter months. Then, in France, Pere Noel is depicted sporting a beard of soft white hair like the modern Santa. Scandinavian customs depict Julenisse as having a beard that is shorter, but depict him as a kind and wise winter-time character.
This is because these customs containing beards are a sign of how closely the symbolism is associated with the meaning of generosity and celebrations of the holidays around the globe.
Conclusion
The story of Santa beard is a long journey that began through mythology from ancient times and grew through the ages of religious tradition, folklore, art, writing, as well as popular culture.
From the gods with wise beards from the ancient civilizations, up to Saint Nicholas, Sinterklaas, and the current Santa Claus, each generation contributed to shaping the style that we see today. The beard symbolized wisdom and warmth, as well as generosity and the magical energy of Christmas.
Even today, the beard's white, long hair remains a symbol of joy, comfort and the timeless joy of the Christmas season.
For as long as families continue to enjoy Christmas, it is likely that the Santa beard will always be among the top beloved and well-known symbols of the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it that Santa wears a long white beard?
Santa has a long, white beard as it symbolizes compassion, wisdom and the warm spirit of the Christmas season. The tradition began with the old myths, and grew through the saints of Saint Nicholas, European folklore, and contemporary illustrations.
Is the beard part or the Saint Nicholas image?
The early stories of Saint Nicholas did not mention his beard; however, later religious artworks often featured saints with beards. In time, the beard was a regular aspect of his appearance.
Are different cultures influencing the Santa beard?
Yes, many cultures have shaped the present Santa beard, such as Dutch customs that celebrate Sinterklaas, English celebrations of Father Christmas, and Scandinavian folklore of winter.
Who came up with the modern Santa beard look?
The modern appearance was developed most strongly by the writers Clement Clarke Moore and illustrator Thomas Nast. Their work was instrumental in defining the beard, full of white, which we all recognize today.
Why is it that the beard is always white?
The white color is a symbol of purity, goodwill and aging. It also links Santa with winter imagery such as snow and icy landscapes.