Santa Claus, the iconic figure who brings holiday cheer to millions each year, is one of the most globally recognised Christmas symbols.
He is a key figure in every Christmas film, decoration, and song. However, his famous image—a bearded man dressed in a red suit with white fur trim—has not always looked the same.
Could the classic red attire have originally been green? Or is this just a myth?
VERDICT:
TRUE
Usually, Santa Claus is associated with his classic red suit, but his original look was very different.
In pre-Christian England, midwinter festivals featured a mysterious figure dressed in a green hooded cloak, often adorned with holly, ivy, or mistletoe. This pagan symbol of nature and renewal brought joy to the public during the dark winter months.
Over time, this character evolved into "Father Christmas," who was frequently depicted in green throughout the 1800s, symbolising his connection to winter festivities and the natural world.
The shift to Santa's red attire began in the late nineteenth century.
In 1870, American cartoonist Thomas Nast famously drew Santa in red for Harper's Weekly, incorporating key elements such as the fur-lined outfit and black belt.
This portrayal was influenced in part by Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century Greek bishop known for his crimson robes and charitable gestures towards children. The Dutch tradition of Sinterklaas, based on Saint Nicholas, also shaped the Santa legend.
In New York, authors like Washington Irving and Clement Clarke Moore helped redefine Christmas as a family-centred celebration, further shaping the modern image of Santa.
While Coca-Cola’s 1930s advertisements helped popularise Santa’s red suit, it’s a myth that the company created it.
Santa had already been depicted in red in advertisements as early as the 1870s and even appeared in ads for White Rock Beverages in 1923.
Although Santa's current red suit is iconic, his earlier green attire reminds us of his origins as a figure tied to nature, tradition, and winter cheer.
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/
https://www.history.co.uk/
https://www.theguardian.com/
https://www.ssgreatbritain.
