Which Reindeer Shares a Name with Another Holiday Mascot and What It Means
The classic tale of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, beloved by children and adults alike, has a unique connection to another holiday character: Parson Brown. Rudolph's red nose and his association with Christmas have made him one of the most recognized and beloved holiday mascots. Interestingly, he shares his name with a character from a lesser-known holiday song, which ties into our exploration of Christmas and holiday mascots.
Rudolph’s Song and Parson Brown
From a song perspective, the name 'Rudolph' can appear in different contexts, one of which is in the line, 'In the meadow we can build a snowman and pretend that he is Parson Brown.' This line is part of a playful and lighthearted Christmas song, where children build a snowman in a meadow and give it the name of a pastor. This whimsical element might be a reason why Rudolph and Parson Brown share the same name, though Rudolph's fame primarily comes from his unique ability and his role in Santa's sleigh.
Myths and Confusions
There is some confusion about whether the reindeer who shares Rudolph's name is actually one of Santa’s reindeer. The two most notable misidentifications are:
Dancer: A character from The Nutcracker ballet, or Comet: Another reindeer in Christmas folklore, often mistaken for a star.However, Rudolph is not one of Santa’s reindeer. The stanza in question, as noted in A Visit from St. Nicholas, mentions the names Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Dunder, and Blixem.
Female Reindeer in Christmas Lore
Interestingly, the names in the poem 'A Visit from St. Nicholas' (also known as The Night Before Christmas) are all female reindeer. This is because male reindeer shed their antlers in the winter, whereas female reindeer retain them. In the popular depiction, Rudolph is often shown as male, but this is an artistic interpretation and does not align with the original lore.
Cupid: The Divine Mascot Connection
It's worth noting that another character with a similar name is Cupid, the son of the Roman goddess Venus. Cupid is indeed a deity in the Roman pantheon, as his brother is Eros. Unlike the reindeer, Cupid is not a holiday mascot in the traditional sense; he is a mythological figure.
Conclusion
So, while Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer shares his name with Parson Brown, this is largely due to the whimsical nature of children’s songs and poems. It is important to distinguish between Santa's reindeer (like Rudolph) and other characters who merely share names but do not play a role in delivering presents on Christmas Eve.