23/12/2022
How many reindeer does Santa have?
Traditionally, Santa’s sleigh is pulled by 8 reindeer, as in the 1823 poem A Visit From St. Nicolas: ‘Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!’
Rudolph was introduced into the pack in 1939 in a famous story of stormy weather and heroism, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer. A small, young reindeer with a bright, luminous red nose, Rudolph was teased by the others for being different, and they didn’t allow him to join in with all of their fun activities. However, one Christmas Eve, the weather was so foggy that the reindeer kept getting lost and couldn’t give out all of Santa’s presents. Santa spotted Rudolph’s bright nose and asked him to lead the sleigh as a guiding light for all of the others to follow through the blizzard. Rudolph agreed, and Santa managed to give out all of his presents successfully. Christmas Day was saved, and Rudolph returned a hero!
In modern times, Santa is recognised as having 9 reindeers - Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph.