Santa and Odin, the similarities are astonishing! 

Welcome to the second part of our three part Christmas series. Hopefully you got a chance to take a look at the mushy meaning behind Christmas. We must not forget about the many similarities between Santa and the Norse God, Odin.  In the current American tradition, Santa knows who’s been naughty or nice and keeps a list. And He is the one who brings gifts to the children. In Norse mythology, Odin the god of Also knows who has been good. And on Yuletide he brings those to justice during the “Wild Hunt”. These two late night activities sound very similar. Almost as if this came from a story book, but this is real life. 

Pulled by eight

Santa is known to ride a sleigh pulled by eight reindeer. Odin on the other hand rides an eight legged horse named Sleipnir. Today Santa is the visually most iconic figure of Christmas, symbolizing giving joy and peace. Odin is the most iconic figure of Yuletide, a Pagan holiday that celebrates hospitality, feasting and gift giving. In spirituality the number 8 signifies a new beginning, it represents the higher spiritual beyond the ordinary. It is pretty fitting that both Santa and Odin choose the number 8 in part of their special evening outing.

Similar style

Before Coco Cola popularized the jolly Santa we know today, Santa was first depicted thin, as often as chubby. And he usually wore blue and red robes and had long white hair. Odin was also often depicted wearing blue or brown robes and had long white hair. Santa is friends with elves who live with him at the north pole and help him make the toys he delivers to the children. Elves and dwarfs are also in Norse mythology. However, in Norse mythology elves are supernatural beings who played a big role in the world’s past, present, and future. Dwarfs made all of the gods weapons and specialty tools, like Odin’s magical arm ring Draupnir and his magical spear Gungnir.

Here we are only comparing the similarities of Santa and Odin, and indeed they are astonishing. I’m sure if we were to look further we could probably find some similarities between Santa and other Gods as well. But that we will save for another time. Stay tuned for the next blog post to wrap up this three part series and find out just how Santa became the beloved Jolly old fellow we celebrate today.