What Are Santa’s Animals? From Reindeer to Goats

Written by Phil Dubley
Published: December 2, 2022
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Most people know about Santa’s favorite animal: the reindeer. But do you know about his other pets? From goats to penguins, there are many interesting animals in Santa’s flock. Read on to learn more about them.

Reindeer

reindeer

Essential to Santa Claus and his story are his trusty reindeer, who famously pull Santa’s sleigh.

©Pav-Pro Photography Ltd/Shutterstock.com

Santa’s reindeer are an essential part of the Christmas tradition and have a rich history dating back centuries. The tradition of handing gifts to your loved ones during Christmas is believed to have its roots in the ancient Roman holiday of Saturnalia. This holiday honored the god Saturn. 

During Saturnalia, enslaved people had the opportunity to serve their masters and mistresses for a day. Everyone could indulge in food, drink, and debauchery. Later, Christmas co-opted some Saturnalia traditions, such as gift-giving and feasting. In addition, Santa Claus himself is a blend of Norse and Germanic mythology. Like the Norse god, Odin, Santa is a traveler who arrives laden with gifts. Like St. Nicholas of Bari, he is the patron saint of children. 

Finally, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer resulted from a clever advertising campaign in the 1920s. An author named Robert L. May created the story of a reindeer with a unique characteristic that could guide Santa’s sleigh on foggy nights. This story was used by Parker Brothers to sell candies. It eventually evolved into the beloved Christmas icon we know today.

Goat

Long Horned Goat

A traditional figure of the Scandinavian holiday is the Christmas

goat

.

©Kevin Standage/Shutterstock.com

The Christmas goat is a traditional Scandinavian holiday figure, as it is said to bring good luck to the home and those who see it. This animal is usually depicted as a handmade wooden figure with a woolly coat and large horns. Its size can vary from a small figure to a life-size animal.

The Christmas goat tradition may have its roots in ancient pagan winter festivals. For example, in Sweden, the goat is often referred to as a julbock and is sometimes depicted with a red coat and green hat.

Furthermore, in Norway, the Christmas goat is known as a juleunder and is often given angel wings.

This Christmas animal has become a popular decoration in many homes, and it is not uncommon for people to take their goats out to watch the sunlight at dawn on Christmas morning. In some places, the Christmas goat has also come to be associated with a legendary mascot called Trottoaren, who is said to visit farms and grant wishes.

Horse

Horse, Animals In The Wild, Colorado, Mustang - Wild Horse, Leadership

Horses

were an integral part of life during the Middle Ages, and as such, received treatment on holiday occasions like Christmas.

©Adventure_Images/Shutterstock.com

The tradition of the Christmas horse dates back to the Middle Ages. At that time, they were an essential part of life, as people used them for farming and transportation. 

They were also an important member of the family and often received special treatment on special occasions such as Christmas. For this reason, in ancient Netherlands legend, St. Nicholas rides a horse through the various villages visiting schools and homes. 

The horse reminds us of the importance of working together as a family and spending quality time with our loved ones. So the next time you see a horse at Christmas, take a moment to appreciate their role in our past and the special connection they hold in our present.

Donkey

baby donkey in the mountains

Donkeys have been associated with Christmas as hard-working animals symbolic of both positive and negative aspects of the holiday.

©iStock.com/Jacek Jacobi

During the Victorian era, there was a tendency to associate Christmas with animals, as it was increasingly popular and because animals were considered innocent and pure. 

The popularity of donkeys on Christmas is related to the fact that it is a hard-working and robust animal. This quality contrasts with the excessive consumerism of Christmas and is seen as a challenge to the hedonistic holiday. In fact, some critics have suggested that donkeys represent everything wrong with Christmas and its emphasis on spending money and materialism. 

On the other hand, donkeys can also be seen as a positive symbol of diligence and commitment. The story of the three wise men suggests that the donkey represents faith and dedication to a cause, even when it seems an impossible task.

In any case, donkeys have become an essential symbol of Christmas, both good and bad. It continues to be used in children’s books and advertisements, giving the holiday a sense of both lavish celebration and hard work.

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © vectorfusionart/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

My name is Phil Dubley, I am a Canadian living in Argentina, but tomorrow I could be writing from anywhere else. Throughout my life, I've been in love with nature: plants, animals, people, and everything in it. I have a passion for wild animals - snakes, sharks, and felines have always fascinated me. As for plants, I love succulents. I have a collection of over ten different varieties on my terrace. Also, I use the hemp plant as CBD oil for sleep: it has been the only thing to tackle my insomnia effectively. I want to share all my knowledge about the areas I am passionate about with others who feel the same way. I hope you enjoy my articles, and in each one, you learn something new!

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. The Curious Rambler, Available here: https://curiousrambler.com/goats-donkeys-horses-and-reindeer-santas-animal-helpers/
  2. Norwegian American, Available here: https://www.norwegianamerican.com/of-goats-and-reindeer-nordic-connections-in-christmas-stories/