St. Nicholas
Also called St. Nicholas, St. Nikolaos of Myra was a 4th century Christian saint. He was a Bishop from Turkey who was known for his caring and generous behavior. He reportedly left presents in the shoes of children who left them outside. This was how the holiday tradition began. He was a real person, although the story has definitely evolved over the centuries.
What St. Nicholas Really Looked Like
Better known as Santa Claus, he looked vastly different from the man that comes to mind. He was Turkish, so he likely had a darker complexion and Middle Eastern features. People from the West often assume that historical figures looked just like they do. As you can see, this is not true at all!