Sinterklaas
Legendary gift-giver based on Saint Nicholas, celebrated in the Low Countries.
Sinterklaas, also known as Sint-Nicolaas, is a legendary figure based on Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children. He is a central figure in the annual Sinterklaas feast celebrated in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, parts of Germany and France, and former Dutch territories such as Aruba. The tradition is one of the sources of the popular Christmas icon of Santa Claus.
- based_on
- Saint Nicholas (270–343), Greek bishop of Myra
- field
- Folklore, holiday tradition
- region
- Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, western Germany, northern France, Aruba
- known_for
- Gift-giving on St. Nicholas' Eve (5 December) and Saint Nicholas Day (6 December)
- assistant
- Zwarte Piet (Black Pete)
Lore & Background
Sinterklaas is depicted as an elderly, stately, and serious man with white hair and a long, full beard. He wears a long red cape or chasuble over a white bishop's alb, a red stole, a red mitre, and a ruby ring, and carries a gold-coloured crosier. He traditionally arrives by steamboat from Spain, riding a white horse; in the Netherlands the horse was named Amerigo until 2019, then replaced by Ozosnel, while in Belgium the horse is called Slecht weer vandaag or Mooi weer vandaag. He carries a big red book recording whether children have been good or naughty.
Reader's Guide
The Sinterklaas feast celebrates the name day of Saint Nicholas on 6 December, with gift-giving on St. Nicholas' Eve (5 December) in the Netherlands and on the morning of 6 December in Belgium and other regions. The festivities begin in mid-November with a televised arrival by steamboat in a port town. Sinterklaas is assisted by Zwarte Piet, a helper in Moorish attire with black-painted face, who originally carried a birch rod and a bag for naughty children. Since the 2010s, the character has sparked debate over racial stereotyping, leading to modernized versions with soot smudges (roetveegpieten). Surveys show shifting public opinion: in 2013, 92% did not see Zwarte Piet as racist; by June 2020, support for the traditional appearance dropped to 47%. Prime Minister Mark Rutte stated in June 2020 that he had changed his opinion and now understands those who consider the character racist. A 2023 survey indicated many are 'less keen' to celebrate due to the controversy.
Did You Know?
- Sinterklaas is one of the sources of the popular Christmas icon of Santa Claus.
- The tradition of Sinterklaas coming from Spain may originate from a 1810 Dutch poem mentioning oranges and pomegranates from Spain.
- In modern television adaptations, Sinterklaas has multiple Zwarte Pieten with specific roles, such as Head Piet and Navigation Piet.
- The horse of Sinterklaas in Belgium is named Slecht weer vandaag ('bad weather today') or Mooi weer vandaag ('nice weather today').
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