The Santa Supremacy
You may know him as red-clad Santa Claus, but the man in the sleigh is a globe-trotting guy with more identities than Bourne himself
Image courtesy PPG Place
Forget the red suit and stocking cap, the black boots and the bowl full of jelly. Even forget that he's a man.
According to the "Sprits of Giving Around the World" exhibit at Pittsburgh's PPG Place, Santa takes on a variety of personas around the world. Perhaps no one has embraced globalization better than Jolly Old Saint Nick.
Russia: Ded Moroz
During the non-religious New Year's holiday, Ded Moroz, or Grandfather Frost, decked in furs or bishop's robes, brings gifts to children with his granddaughter Snegurochka.
China: Dun Che Lao Ren
Although Christmas is not widely celebrated in most of Asia, Dun Che Lao Ren, or Christmas Old Man, brings gifts to celebrating families during the Holy Birth Festival, or Sheng Dan Jieh.
Italy: La Befana
La Befana, a kindly old witch, comes down the chimney on Epiphany Eve, Jan. 5, to deliver gifts and firewood to Italian children. In one hand she carries a bell to announce her arrival, and in the other she wields a cane to warn naughty children that they will only receive coal.
Germany: St. Nicholas
On Dec. 5, St. Nicholas Eve, the Saint visits homes delivering candy and sweets to be opened the next morning on St. Nicholas Day. In southern Germany, the Christkind brings gifts on Christmas Eve, while in northern Germany Weihnachtsmann, or the Christmas Man, is said to bear the gifts.
France: Pere Noel
Pere Noel, or Father Christmas, travels from home to home with Pere Fouchette, his mean-spirited counterpart. French children leave their shoes in front of the fireplace: If they've been good, Pere Noel fills them with gifts, but if they've been bad, Pere Fouchette will leave them nothing but switches.
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