When looking at the many carvings that Carve Me A Bear! Chainsaw Carvings can provide, one in particular fits the holiday season perfectly. The reindeer carvings bring a unique feel to the holiday season. Reindeer have become an iconic symbol of the Christmas season, with eight reindeer leading Santa’s sleigh. As a result we find reindeer figures all over during the holidays. So, just what makes a reindeer such a unique animal and why did Santa choose these animals to lead his sleigh? Carve Me A Bear! Chainsaw Carvings will share more about these amazing animals and how they became such an iconic image for Christmas.
Reindeer VS Caribou
On the North American continent, reindeer are known as Caribou and on the other side of the world the Eurasian continents call them reindeer. For those who may know their Christmas history most of the legends and tales evolving around Christmas started with European cultures and many come from Germany. This is why reindeer pull Santa’s sleigh and not caribou, which have some slight variations in appearance, but are actually the same animal. In North America most people see caribou as game and are often hunted for sport. In Eurasia they are seen and used much differently. In Eurasia, they domesticated reindeer over 2000 years ago. What we know is back then; herd reindeer where used to pull sleighs and wagons for transport, or for working the land. Reindeer were also used as food. Most Eurasians will use the fur to make clothing and even the shelters were created using fur as well as the antlers. There where those who also kept reindeer as pets. One Eurasian culture known as the Nenets, used reindeer to pull sleighs on snowy or icy surfaces. Since reindeer have a fur coat that naturally insulates and keeps them warm, combined with the shape of the reindeer’s feet, made them ideal for crossing snowy plains. Another unique feature of reindeer and caribou fur is that it helps make them float in water when crossing rivers or lakes.
History of Santa’s Reindeer
The origins of Santa Clause using reindeer to pull his sleigh was first introduced in 1821 by a poet and writer named Clement C. Moore, who wrote the iconic poem A Visit from St. Nicholas or as we know it today — ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. It was in the famous story of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas that we find reindeer pulling the sleigh of St. Nicholas. It was also the first time eight reindeer and their names were used and forever endeared them to us. For those Rudolph fans, he wasn’t added into the glamour of Christmas until 1939. Many surmised that the origins of a man delivering toys started from the actions of a 4th century Bishop named St. Nicholas who was located in the Byzantine Empire, which is now modern Turkey. St. Nicholas was well known for his generosity to the poor.
Reindeer Chainsaw Carvings Carved in Las Vegas, Nevada & Helena, Montana
For those who want to add a reindeer wood carving to their holiday décor, or even have a love for reindeer in general, get your own reindeer wood carving from Carve Me A Bear! Chainsaw Carvings today. Contact us to view our inventory or place a custom order.
