Where Does Santa Claus Come From?

"Christmas" is a legendary figure who sneaks into houses on the night of December 24, leaving gifts for children. Nowadays, he is portrayed as a cute person with a red dress, country hair, and a white beard. "Christmas Noel" is based on the Dutch story of Sinterklaas about Bishop Nikola.

"Christmas Noel"'s tradition of bringing gifts to children who "do not misbehave" during the year comes from the Norse God Odin. But, Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, who is known worldwide as Santa Claus, was born in the ancient Lycian city of Patara, an important city on the Mediterranean coast of Türkiye.

There have been many stories about Santa Claus, from where it came to or became sacred. Saint Nicholas, depicted as a holy man, is a Christian cleric. Nicholas, who is thought to have shared his great fortune from his family with the sick, old, and in need of care, has devoted his life to serving god and people.

According to legends, Saint Nicholas, also known as Santa Klaus, was first delivered by Dutch immigrants to New Amsterdam, the present name of New York, USA.

Saint Nicholaos, known as Santa Claus, is believed to have died on December 6, 343, at the age of 65. The bones of Santa Claus, taken to Bari on April 20, 1087 by merchants from Bari during the Crusades, are buried in basilica.

Some of the bones of Saint Nicholas are still thought to be in Antalya, Demre. The rest of Santa Claus is resting in the Antalya Museum.

The first depiction of Santa Claus is a cartoon for Harper's Weekly magazine, published in New York in 1863.

The cartoon's illustrator is Thomas Nast. Santa Claus was influenced by his poem, 'A Visit from St. Nicholas' (Night Before Christmas).

Today's Santa Claus figure was drawn by Haddon Sundblum, and the color of the Santa Claus costume, designed for the Coca-Cola advertising campaign in 1931, was inspired by the printing color of Coca-Cola.

Haddon Sundblum drew Santa Claus with a fat, white beard, white fur detailed red costume, white cheerleader hat, black belt, and boots. This image of Santa Claus was soon loved all over the world. Nowadays, when it is called Santa Claus, it has become the only figure that comes to mind.

Santa Claus is mentioned in many languages by names formed from derivatives of the words saint, Nikola (Klaus), Christmas, and father. 

Santa Claus, Pope Christmas, the name Kris Kringle in some European and Latin American countries, and the German 'Christkind' first used by Martin Luther are some of his names. The corrupt version of the name is also among the names mentioned in written sources. Santa Claus is thought to be a fictional character.