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Red Santa

Posted by
Eric Cousineau (Sherwood Park, Canada) on 3 December 2011 in Lifestyle & Culture and Portfolio.

Numerous parallels have been drawn between Santa Claus and the figure of Odin, a major god amongst the Germanic peoples prior to their Christianization. Since many of these elements are unrelated to Christianity, there are theories regarding the pagan origins of various customs of the holiday stemming from areas where the Germanic peoples were Christianized and retained elements of their indigenous traditions, surviving in various forms into modern depictions of Santa Claus

PENTAX K-5 1/40 second F/7.1 ISO 3200 97 mm (35mm equiv.)

Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy.
Benjamin Franklin


I don't think of myself as a role model. I do try to live in a compassionate, considerate and positive way. The only advice I can offer is to find what you love to do, find the joy in it, and express yourself through your passion.
~Barry Williams

Jason Politte from Conway, AR, United States

You really have quite the collection, and this is a beautiful depiction of Santa Claus. Very nice, Eric!

3 Dec 2011 5:02am

@Jason Politte: Thank you very much Jason! I hope you enjoy the rest of them just as much as I do! ;-)

Japanalia from Yokohama, Japan

Of course the many faces of Santa you show us here are so special, but I'm also interested by what you write in the introduction to these photos.
According to what I read, many of the Christian celebrations have their origin in pagan rites and this is the part they I find most attractive and interesting.

3 Dec 2011 6:20am

@Japanalia: Thank you very much Gabriela! Yes, if we look back far enough we always will find roots in the pagan rites! ;-)

Nicou from Sion, Switzerland

Toujours aussi rêveur tes image les prémices des fêtes, quelle compo quelle barbe blanche superbe.

Bravo et belle journée

3 Dec 2011 6:50am

@Nicou: Merci beaucoup Nicou! Je suis très heureux que vous appréciez ma collection de Pères Noël! ;-)

Doug from Burnham-on-Sea, United Kingdom

Nice seasonal image

3 Dec 2011 8:45am

@Doug: Thank you very much Doug! ;-)

mhelene from France

A great collection !

3 Dec 2011 9:21am

@mhelene: Thank you very much Mhelene! ;-)

Gérard Beullac from Paris, France

Looks nice.

3 Dec 2011 9:23am

@Gérard Beullac: Thank you very much Gerard! ;-)

Paco Díaz from Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Good one! He's approaching!!

3 Dec 2011 9:29am

@Paco Díaz: Thank you very much Paco! ;-)

Shaahin Bahremand from Tehran, Iran

best capture
excellent

3 Dec 2011 9:41am

@Shaahin Bahremand: Thank you very much Shaahin! ;-)

tataray from france, France

Sympathique .)
Bonne journée.

3 Dec 2011 10:11am

@tataray: Merci beaucoup Raymonde! ;-)

mo.langel from Courtelary, Switzerland

Ah... celui-ci a un regard plus souriant.... enfin je pense, on ne voit pas trop son visage derrière sa grande barbe blanche! Bon week-end Eric! :)

3 Dec 2011 10:46am

@mo.langel: Merci beaucoup Mo! ;-)

Stephen from Canberra, Australia

Yes, this Santa has a very Norse look about him!

3 Dec 2011 11:09am

@Stephen: Thank you very much Stephen! Yes, as you will see there are a lot of elements of local traditions that have crept into the persona of Santa over the years! ;-)

Scene by Sharon Photography from Kingston, Ontario, Canada

What a wonderful collection of Santas you have - each one has its own personality. My personal favorite is the first one, but are all special in their own way - I can't wait to see more :)

3 Dec 2011 11:11am

@Scene by Sharon Photography: Thank you very much Sharon! Yes indeed, each has it's own special personality! ;-)

L'Angevine from Angers, France

allez on chante "oh mon beau sapin...."!!!lol

3 Dec 2011 12:12pm

@L'Angevine: Merci beaucoup L'Angevine! Oui, bientôt il sera temps de commencer à chanter des chants de Noël et de penser à la naissance de notre Sauveur! ;-)

Judy aka L@dybug from Brooksville, FL, United States

Your old world Santas are beautiful, Eric; this one has a very elaborate cloak.
The pagan origins you write about are very interesting.

3 Dec 2011 1:15pm

@Judy aka L@dybug: Thank you very much Judy! Yes, strange but true!! ;-)

Martine from bousval, Belgium

Wouhaaaaaaaa!! quelle barbe il a ton père Noël!!!! Très beau!!

3 Dec 2011 2:12pm

@Martine: Merci beaucoup Martine! ;-)

Mj007 from Osaka, Japan

nice! ;)

3 Dec 2011 2:18pm

@Mj007: Thank you very much Mj007 and welcome to my blog! Please come back and visit soon! ;-)

Laur from Clermont-Ferrand, France

Belle série présentée, quelle barbe il a !

3 Dec 2011 2:30pm

@Laur: Merci beaucoup Laurence! J'espère que vous aimez le reste de la collection tout autant! ;-)

Evelyne Dubos from Le Mans, France

Une sympathique figurine bien mise en valeur.

3 Dec 2011 3:21pm

@Evelyne Dubos: Merci beaucoup Evelyne! ;-)

Lalena from Barcelona, Spain

The dress is very smart! Nice serie!

3 Dec 2011 3:28pm

@Lalena: Thank you very much Lalena! ;-)

El pare from Prepirineu, Andorra

The disproportionately long beard us closer to the longevity of Santa Claus. This is a friendly series, Eric

3 Dec 2011 3:44pm

@El pare: Thank you very much Manel! Yes, either that or he is overdue for a trip to the barber for a trim! ;-)))

Lena from San Francisco, United States

great one.....:)

3 Dec 2011 3:49pm

@Lena: Thank you very much Lena! ;-)

franz from Baden, Austria

ah, this one seems to be the flashy dresser of the claus familiy! and a handsome guy he is ... ;-))

3 Dec 2011 3:58pm

@franz: LOL.....Thank you very much Franz! ;-)

Adela Fonts from Barcelona, Spain

King is dressed ...! that is gorgeous ... A hug Eric! Adela

3 Dec 2011 4:03pm

@Adela Fonts: Thank you very much Adela! ;-)

Phil David Morris 2011 from Saskatoon,, Canada

This one I love, he seems to exude so much anticipation for Christmas here, he is about to
explode, he is so proud !!~ I love the movement forward in the pose as he is on a fast track
to Christmas, like a locomotive, powerful concentration and all the love he can muster !!~

3 Dec 2011 4:46pm

@Phil David Morris 2011: Thank you very much Phil! ;-)

StarCosmosBleu from Bedford.Qc, Canada

I like this one with its curled beard..i din’t know about the association with Odin...cool..a fine shot

3 Dec 2011 4:57pm

@StarCosmosBleu: Thank you very much Marcel! ;-)

Roman from Thiersee, Austria

lovely shot!

3 Dec 2011 5:45pm

@Roman: Thank you very much Roman! ;-)

☺ ► ƸɼiϾ ◄ ☼ from Narbonne, France

and if santa is red, it s the fault of coca cola ;-)) i find this story really fun, take care eric ☺

3 Dec 2011 7:42pm

@☺ ► ƸɼiϾ ◄ ☼: Thank you very much Eric! ;-)

john4jack from Corvallis, Oregon, United States

nice commentary

3 Dec 2011 8:52pm

@john4jack: Thank you very much Jack! ;-)

john4jack from Corvallis, Oregon, United States

ps - part of the genius of the apostle paul was that he would take pagan symbols and practices and imbue them with Christian meaning

3 Dec 2011 8:54pm

@john4jack: Yes, indeed if we look at many of our traditions we find that they are taken from pagan symbols and practices. Thank you very much Jack! ;-)

john4jack from Corvallis, Oregon, United States

i am part druid

3 Dec 2011 11:50pm

@john4jack: ;-)

Dokmateo from Manila, Philippines

You have collections! Nice shot and framing!

4 Dec 2011 12:43am

@Dokmateo: Thank you very much Dokmateo! ;-)

Dokmateo from Manila, Philippines

That was supposed to be, you have a nice christmas collection hehe=))

4 Dec 2011 12:44am

@Dokmateo: You silver tongued devil! ;-)))

Elaine Hancock from Rockville, United States

I really like the outfit on this Santa. It is beautiful!

4 Dec 2011 2:45am

@Elaine Hancock: Thank you very much Elaine! ;-)

AMH from Buenos Aires, Argentina

eric. I'll tell you a secret! Each year I have to buy an ornament for my tree, that gives me the feeling I will bring good luck. Your photo has reminded me that I had not come to compradonada and buy one. thanks for reminding me of things. a big kiss. Alejandra

4 Dec 2011 3:16am

@AMH: Thank you very much Alejandra! Yes, I too buy a new Santa each year to bring joy and luck to the year! ;-)

Hiro from Kyoto, Japan

Nice series for this season.

4 Dec 2011 4:55am

@Hiro: Thank you very much Hiro! ;-)

Sam from Chennai, India

Amazing. A nice series so beautifully presented. Excellent, Eric! :)

4 Dec 2011 2:49pm

@Sam: Thank you very much Sam! ;-)

Sarito from Basingstoke, United Kingdom

Nice collection, Eric.. this one is very nice.

4 Dec 2011 3:33pm

@Sarito: Thank you very much Sarito! ;-)

Mandar from Kudal, India

Lovely

4 Dec 2011 6:48pm

@Mandar: Thank you very much Mandar! ;-)

PATRICK from miramas, France

splendid

5 Dec 2011 12:39pm

@PATRICK: Thank you very much Patrick! ;-)

Steve Rice from Olympia, United States

A fine looking St. Nick. I especially like the robe on this one with its detailed decoration. You have quite a collection.

7 Dec 2011 12:28am

@Steve Rice: Thank you very much Steve! I am glad you are enjoying them! ;-)

PENTAX K-5
1/40 second
F/7.1
ISO 3200
97 mm (35mm equiv.)

woodland
santas