Think You Know Santa? Think Again...

[MCtricks]

Here's a summary of an interesting article I came across one day while doing a project for health class:

The article claims that Santa and his flying reindeer may actually originate from a hallucinogenic mushroom, Amanita muscaria. Take a look.

1. Siberian shamans of the Arctic gave out hallucinogenic mushrooms during wintertime.

During the cold winter solstice of an Arctic lost centuries ago, shamans would go round trip to pass out bags of hallucinogenic mushrooms as gifts to local villagers each year. The mushrooms were collected then dried to be handed out to people as a tradition. Back then, since snow usually blocked entrances to homes, people would enter from the roof, hence the idea of Santa's chimney transportation.

Amanita muscaria. Has an interesting resemblance to the old man's suit, don'tchya think?

2. The Amanita muscaria is found beneath the yonder pines.

The muscaria, above, is a mushroom that can be found near and around pines. You'd wonder why people put their presents under a pine tree?

Something's wrong here..

3. Reindeer were the spirit animals of the North.

As reindeer are common animals in colder regions and beloved to Northern countries, it is entirely possible that people would hallucinate about them flying around. Reindeer are also friendly around mushrooms as well.

4. Dem outfits, doe.

The shamans may have actually worn the colors of the mushrooms they distributed. This may contribute to the idea for why Santa's suit is red and white.

Looks like something Betty Boop would wear.

5. The ornaments.

I was actually shocked by this part. Have you seen any red and white mushroom ornaments in stores? Not to mention Russia and Siberia, including other European countries, have several indications of the magic mushroom's involvement with Christmas.

Look closely at the writing.

To sum it up, the idea of the article I read is that Santa Claus was basically fabricated through the use of magic mushrooms.

Well, I don't know about you, but the actual article itself seems more or less interesting. I myself am unsure on whether or not to believe it. After all, the story where Santa originated from St. Nicholas sounds more reasonable. Even so, the fact that these mushrooms have some involvement with Christmas is really quite strange. What do you guys think about all this?

Here's a link to the original website:

https://www.livescience.com/42077-8-ways-mushrooms-explain-santa.html

[heavensgift2girls]

This is interesting. I do know there are lots of different versions of Santa, and just assumed a lot of our ideas of Santa are picked and chosen from the traits of the different versions. I never really understood where any of the ideas actually originated though.

[BaileyisDarcy]

Santa was originally green and red. He's white and red now due to an advertising campaign set by Coca Cola.

But otherwise a very interesting read.

[MCtricks]

Yesss. We are all very aware of the Coca Cola company's involvement in this, aren't we? XD

[Svengodofman]

Actually the entire Santa Claus tradition is deeply related to the old Germanic religions. Prior to the Christianisation of Europe, the chief god Odin/Woden/Wotan would fill much of the same role as Santa Claus. When the Christian church took over, worship of the old gods was outlawed and therefore, Odin's grey robes turned red, and his horse's 8 legs became reindeer. infolocata.com/.../

[MCtricks]

Mind blown.. every time someone says Odin, Thor pops into my head. Thats really interesting.. thanks for sharing :)

[Azara]

santa klaus was changed from a pope with a staff with a bunch of devils hanging around to destroy any evil in his way. .. To an Arian Nordic character during nazi Germany. Its a nazi inspired celebration. All the celebrations became singularly about promoting nazism between 1930s and 1940s.

[MCtricks]

Woa there. I never knew that

[Pat8707]

So what you're saying is that we have an official holiday that is partly dedicated to psychedelics? Well shit lol.

[MCtricks]

I would like to say that I'm not entirely sure if I should believe the article or not, it was only a theory really. I just thought it was interesting XD

[Jessie1DLM]

Santa got red because of Coca Cola, not a mushroom js. He was either green or blue before, not sure

[MCtricks]

I know. I just felt like sharing this was a good idea XD

[BelleGirl21]

As long as I get new clothes on the 25th I don't care if Santa came from heroine lol

[Natportmanlookalike]

Thank you for taking away the magic Mr Scrooge lol

[MCtricks]

My pleasure :)

[Dipsy]

Santa Shroom ;P

Interesting story. Are those mushrooms really hallucinogenic?

[RedRobin]

I've actually never seen mushroom ornaments before

[MCtricks]

Me neither. That's why I'm asking you all

[CykaBlyat]

I thought Santa got his colours from Coke

[MCtricks]

Yeah. Thats what I thought too. I only discovered this awhile ago and thought it was weird.

[Anonymous]

Are you saying Santa is not real? D:

[ObscuredBeyond]

So... Mario is a hack! I knew it!