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The Origin of Santa Claus
The origin of Santa Claus can be found in the 4th century, when Saint Nicholas helped needy
people. According to legend, three daughters lived with their father. They were so poor that the
father couldn't afford a dowry for his daughters. One night a sack of gold was thrown in through
用意する余裕
the window of their house. The father accepted the charity and the oldest daughter got married,
施し
having received her dowry.
Several days later, a second sack of gold came. Then, when a third sack arrived, the father
went outside to find Saint Nicholas there. The sacks happened to land in the daughters' socks
偶然たまま着地した。
ために、
that had been drying by the fireplace. The custom of hanging Christmas stockings came from
乾かしている.
this legend.
暖炉のそばで、
ぶら下げる
The legend of Saint Nicholas has spread to many countries. In Finland, Santa meets children
and asks them whether they have been good all year long. If they answer "No," they cannot get
presents from him. An old legend in Germany says that Santa had a companion. Santa, in his
red and white costume
delivered gifts to good children. The companion, in a black and brown
costume, punished.children who had not behaved well.
作られた。
The modern image of Santa with a long, white beard wearing a red suit was created in America
around 1820. This image spread to many other countries including Japan, mainly through
頃
その他の 国々
American ads and movies.
