Father Christmas While often considered equivalent to Santa Claus, Father Christmas is in fact a completely distinct and separate figure and deity. Far older, and going back more than likely to Celtic pagan traditions such as the Holly King and Wild Man. Being depicted often as not with a humpback and club of the Wild Man and participating in Wilder Mann Customs as the titular Wildman. Though the elements of the Holly King are clearly present in his depictions as a jolly old man with a holly crown. These Wilder Mann AKA Mumming/Wassailing Traditions are part of the core of Father Christmas traditions as well as the appearance in mumming plays in which he would take part. He would often be depicted as bringing good Cheer and fertility across the land or drink in hand ruling over celebrations which typically included "The Lord of Misrule". Father Christmas is a distinct and unrelated figure to Sinterklaas, and only became conflated with Santa Claus in the late 1800's. -TLK