The Origin of Santa's Reindeer On Dasher, On Dancer, on Prancer and Vixen, on Comet on Cupid, on Donder and Blitzen! The 8 Reindeer of Santa Claus are ubiquitous in his myth. Yet where did they come from? Well the ones we know find their origin in the 1860's poem "A Night Before Christmas" yet he was depicted with reindeer before that, specifically with a Reindeer or White Tail deer driving his sleigh. This ties into older legends of the Wild Hunt, where most of the deities are driven in sleighs and chariots or riding atop animals such as boars, bears and especially deer. With Santa likely starting like many deities with one mount, before the number expanded from one to eight, disproving the Sleipnir connection. Rather it stems from the broader myths of the Wild Hunt and their many Stag Steeds. The names however while mostly written with literary verse are eerily similar to figures from Father Christmas Wilder Mann Customs and Mumming figures. Such as Maidens, Archers, Firework casters, and more.-TLK