Father Frost (Ded Moroz) and Santa Claus are the main characters of winter holidays in different cultures. However, despite some similarities, they have a number of significant differences, from the history of origin to their attributes and symbols.
Father Frost is a fairy-tale character associated with New Year's holidays in Russia and many other CIS countries. The pagan version of Father Frost's origin says that our ancestors believed that a certain spirit protected them from harsh winter weather and protected the harvest. For this, they brought him various gifts and delicacies.
But there is another point of view, according to which the prototype of Father Frost appeared in ancient folk tales. Most often, he was given the name Morozko. He was described as a stern bearded old man who commanded the winter cold, ran through forests, fields, villages and knocked, which caused severe frosts, rivers were covered with ice, and frost patterns appeared on the windows. Morozko had a magic staff with him, capable of freezing all ill-wishers.
The familiar image of kind Father Frost began to form in the Soviet times. Father Frost wears a long, warm fur coat of white, blue or red colour with patterns embroidered with silver threads. He has an oval-shaped hat on his head, felt boots (valenki) on his feet, and warm mittens on his hands. Also, the obligatory attributes of the image of Father Frost are a long white beard, a magic staff and a large bag filled with gifts for children. Often he can be seen accompanied by his granddaughter Snow Maiden (Snegurochka) − a kind girl who communicates well with forest animals and serves as a kind of intermediary between Father Frost, New Year's miracles and children. Father Frost moves on a sleigh with three horses.
Father Frost comes on New Year's Eve and puts presents under the decorated Christmas tree. He lives in Veliky Ustyug in the Vologda Region, where his estate is located, and where he joyfully greets guests.
Santa Claus is a magical character of the Western Christian culture who brings gifts to children at Christmas. Santa's prototype is considered to be Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, who helped the poor, gave girls from poor families a dowry for a successful marriage, and always responded to any requests for help. A tradition to give children small souvenirs on the eve of Nicholas's name day on December 6th appeared already in the Middle Ages.
The modern image of Santa Claus is based on folklore tales about Saint Nicholas. He is depicted as a cheerful, plump old man with a short gray beard. He wears a short red fur coat with a white fur collar and cuffs, which he belts with a black leather belt. His image also includes red trousers and a cap with a white pompom, and he often wears glasses. Like Father Frost, he carries a large bag with gifts for children.
Santa does not work alone: his helpers in his New Year's affairs are Christmas elves. They are the ones who make toys for children in the wizard's workshop. Santa Claus moves around on a sleigh with reindeer flying across the sky.
Lapland is considered the birthplace of Santa Claus, where there is an entire amusement park dedicated to the fairy-tale character and Christmas entertainment.
As we can see, Father Frost and Santa Claus are significantly different from each other. But, despite this, they are similar in one thing: both heroes are the main and favourite characters of the New Year and Christmas holidays. Children all over the world eagerly await gifts from fairy-tale wizards every year.