Sinterklaas | |
|---|---|
 Sinterklaas and his companion Zwarte Piet | |
| Known for | Delivering gifts to children on St Nicholas' Eve |
Sinterklaas (Dutch: [ˌsɪntərˈklaːs] ) or Sint-Nicolaas (Dutch: [sɪnt ˈnikoːlaːs] ) is a legendary figure based on Saint Nicholas, patron saint of children. Other Dutch names for the figure include De Sint ("The Saint"), De Goede Sint ("The Good Saint") and De Goedheiligman (from "goed hylickman" meaning "good marriage man", alluding to his historical reputation as a Saint who can help you find a good life partner[1]). Many descendants and cognates of "Sinterklaas" or "Saint Nicholas" in other languages are also used in the Low Countries, nearby regions, and former Dutch colonies.[note 1]
The feast of Sinterklaas celebrates the name day of Saint Nicholas on 6 December. The feast is celebrated annually with the giving of gifts on St. Nicholas' Eve (5 December) in the Netherlands and on the morning of 6 December, Saint Nicholas Day, Belgium, Luxembourg, western Germany, northern France (French Flanders, Lorraine, Alsace and Artois), Romania, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary. The tradition is also celebrated in some territories of the former Dutch Empire, including Aruba.[citation needed]
Sinterklaas is one of the sources of the popular Christmas icon of Santa Claus.[2][3]
- ^ "Wat is de betekenis van Goedheiligman?". ensie.nl (in Dutch). 19 October 2024.
- ^ Clark, Cindy Dell (1 November 1998). Flights of Fancy, Leaps of Faith: Children's Myths in Contemporary America. University of Chicago Press. p. 26. ISBN 9780226107783.
- ^ Ghesquiere 1989, pp. 84–85.
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