Over 1,700 years ago lived a monk named Nicholas. He was known for his selflessness and generosity and, unsurprisingly, for his gift giving. Nicholas was well known in his homeland of Myra, which is now know as Turkey. Stories of his acts of kindness spread during and after his life, and soon legends of his generosity grew across Europe.

Santa Claus has become one of the most recognizable folklore figures worldwide, and is one of the most iconic elements of this holiday season. His fur trimmed red outfit and bushy white beard is iconic, but good ol’ St. Nick has not always looked the same. Santa as we know him today has been refined many times over the years, with the legend of good ol’ Saint Nick dating back all the way to the third century.

Is he Santa? Not sure