On the night of December 24, when the distribution of gifts for children begins, Santa Claus is always accompanied by his sleigh and his faithful reindeer. These majestic animals all have a particularity. What are Santa’s reindeer names? How many are they ?
In the imagination of young and old, the Santa Claus is often depicted with his magic sleigh, who is himself pulled by reindeer. These animals, which belong to the deer family, are recognizable thanks to their antlers and are one with Santa Claus. It must be said that it is thanks to them that the distribution of gifts on the evening of December 24 can be carried out. One of them can even, using his red nose, guide the herd in the fog. But just, do you know what are the names of Santa’s reindeer and how many are they?
What is the legend surrounding Santa’s reindeer?
L’story of Santa’s reindeer would be taken from a rather old English poem, entitled A visit before Christmas (understand A visit before Christmas), also known as The Night before Christmas and published in the newspaper The Sentinel in 1823. The text speaks of the visit of Saint-Nicolas on a flying sleigh, pulled by reindeer. It is with this image in mind that the poem has inspired many other stories and legends.
Here is an excerpt from the poem that tells the legend around Santa’s reindeer:
“It was Christmas Eve, a little before midnight,
At a time when everything is calm, even the mice.
We hung our stockings in front of the fireplace,
So that Santa Claus finds them as soon as he arrives.
Snuggled up warm in their little beds,
The good children had already fallen asleep.
Mom and I, in our nightgowns,
We had just blown out the candle,
When outside, a sound of bells,
Brought me out of under my duvet.
Shooting like an arrow towards the window,
I was peering up at the starry sky.
Above the snow, the sparkling moon,
Illuminated the night as if it were day.
I couldn’t believe my eyes when appeared in the distance,
A sleigh and eight reindeer no bigger than your fist,
Led by a cheerful little character:
It was Santa Claus, I knew it.
His couriers were flying as if they had wings.
And sang to him, to encourage them:
‘Go Tornado!, Go Dancer!
Come on, Fury and Fringuant!
Forward Comet and Cupid!
Go Lightning and Thunder!
Straight to that porch,
Straight to that wall!
Gallop gallop my friends!
At the triple gallop!’
(…)
Together they flew like a feather in the wind.
Before disappearing, Santa Claus shouted:
‘Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night'”
How many reindeer does Santa Claus have?
Santa Claus has a total of 9 reindeer. According to a legend, the famous man with the long white beard had 8 reindeer to count on, but in 1939, in a tale by Robert Lewis May, a ninth reindeer came to join the group: rudolph. At that time, it is said that Santa Claus was making his rounds when he noticed above a clearing in Norway a young reindeer with a red nose. He would then have offered to join the herd and work together for the end of the year celebrations.
“Now! Dasher, now! Dance, now! Prancer and Vixen, On! Come on! Cupid, we! Dunder and Blixem“Do you recognize them? They are the nine reindeer of santa claus. Each reindeer has a first name and has a particularity of its own.
- Tornado (dasher in English): the fastest
- Dancer (dancing): the most graceful
- Fury (Prancer) : the most powerful
- Dashing (vixen) : the strongest
- Comet (Comet): which brings happiness to children
- Cupid (Cupid): who sows love
- Thunder (dunder) : The Strongest
- Flash (Blixem): who brings light
- rudolph (the red-nosed reindeer): who guides the herd
Where do Santa’s reindeer live?
Santa’s reindeer live with him, Mrs. Claus and all the Christmas elves in Finnish Laplandin the northernmost region of Finland.
What do Santa’s reindeer eat?
Like their congeners, Santa’s reindeer have a healthy diet and eat mainly plants and mushrooms. When they go on a round for gifts, the children and their parents sometimes also reserve hay and carrots for them, which they enjoy eating.