Santa's eight regular reindeer are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen. Rudolph also worked for Santa during a particularly foggy Christmas Eve. Donner and Blitzen were originally called Dunder and Blixem.Know More
The first reference to Santa's flying reindeer was in an 1823 poem by Clement C. Moore entitled "A Visit from St. Nicholas." The poem is also known as "The Night Before Christmas."
Rudolph first appeared in a 1939 poem by Robert L. May that was published in a Montgomery Ward Christmas book. In the book, Rudolph was originally an outcast because of his bright, red nose. However, Santa enlisted his services to guide his sleigh on an exceptionally foggy night. The story of Rudolph was made into a television show and feature film. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" is also a popular Christmas song.
The reindeer have become popular Christmas symbols and are frequently depicted flying through the air while towing a sleigh piloted by Santa Claus and loaded with Christmas presents. Also, many Christmas-oriented attractions employ reindeer during the Christmas season. Other books and stories list additional reindeer, including parents, siblings, children and rivals. However, none of these have achieved the longevity or popularity of the eight original flying reindeer.Learn More
Dasher, Dancer and Dunder (more commonly referred to as Donner) are the names of Santa's three reindeer that begin with the letter "D." They are the first, second and seventh reindeer listed in the Christmas poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas."Full Answer >
Santa has a team of nine reindeer to pull his sleigh: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and, finally, Rudolph, who leads them all with his bright, red nose.Full Answer >
The holiday character of Santa Claus is based on St. Nicholas, a Christian saint who was born in Turkey in 280 A.D. and believed to have died in 343 A.D. Dutch immigrants introduced his legacy to the United States in the 1700s, and the tradition of Santa Claus was born.Full Answer >
Santa Claus is a figure with legendary, historical and folkloric origins. Among several Western practices, he is believed to bring gifts to the homes of good children on the eve of Christmas (December 24). Other common names for Santa Claus are Saint Nicholas, Kris Krinngle or simply “Santa.”Full Answer >