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Sinterklaas
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Sinterklaas

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Also known as Sint-Nicolaas, Sint Nicolaas, Sint, Goedheiligman

Sinterklaas () or Sint-Nicolaas () 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 (derived from goed hylickman meaning "good marriage man", alluding to his historical reputation as a Saint who can help you find a good life partner). 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.

Key facts

Legendary person.noinfo
yes
Legendary person.image
Sinterklaas 2007.jpg
Legendary person.caption
Sinterklaas played by Bram van der Vlugt
Legendary person.gender
Man
Legendary person.occupation
Delivering gifts to children on St Nicholas' Eve
Legendary person.lbl1
Associates
Legendary person.lbl2
Attire
Legendary person.data2
Long red cape or chasuble over a traditional white bishop's alb and a sometimes-red stole, a red mitre and ruby ring, and a gold-coloured crosier
Legendary person.home
Spain

via Wikipedia infobox

Wikidata facts

Gender
male
Image
Amerigo with Sinterklaas 2008.jpg
Residence
Spain
Said to be same as
Saint Nicholas
Show 7 more facts
has characteristic
age of a person
indigenous to
Curaçao
name in native language
sveti Miklavž
nickname
Goedheiligman
manifestation of
bishop
Commons category
Sinterklaas (figure)
Commons gallery
Sinterklaas
Sources (1)

via Wikidata · CC0

~28 min read

Encyclopedic overview

22 sections
Contents
  • Figures
  • Sinterklaas
  • Zwarte Piet
  • Celebration
  • Arrival from Spain
  • Period leading up to Saint Nicholas' Eve
  • Saint Nicholas' Eve and Saint Nicholas' Day
  • History
  • Pre-Christian Europe
  • Middle Ages
  • 16th and 17th centuries
  • 19th century
  • World War II
  • Popularity and celebration outside the Netherlands
  • Sinterklaas as a source for Santa Claus
  • Sinterklaas in fiction
  • Related holiday figures
  • See also
  • References
  • Notes
  • Bibliography
  • External links

Sinterklaas () or Sint-Nicolaas () 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 (derived from goed hylickman meaning "good marriage man", alluding to his historical reputation as a Saint who can help you find a good life partner). 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.

The feast of Sinterklaas celebrates the name day of Saint Nicholas on 6 December. The Sinterklaas feast is celebrated annually with the giving of gifts on St. Nicholas' Eve (5 December) in the Netherlands and on the morning of Saint Nicholas Day (6 December) in Belgium, Luxembourg, western Germany, and northern France (French Flanders, Lorraine, Alsace and Artois). The tradition is also celebrated in some territories of the former Dutch Empire, including Aruba.

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Sinterklaas” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.

Gallery (18)