Sinterklaas Nicholas Day. Sinterklaas Sinterklaas () or "Sint-Nicolaas" () is a legendary figure based on Saint Nicholas, patron saint of children. Other names for the figure include "De Sint" ("The Saint"), "De Goede Sint" ("The Good Saint"), and "De Goedheiligman" ("The Good Holy Man") in Dutch; "Saint Nicolas" in French; "Sinteklaas" in West Frisian; "Sinterklaos" in Limburgs; "Saint-Nikloi" in West Flemish; and "Kleeschen" and "Zinniklos" in Luxembourgish. The feast of "Sinterklaas" celebrates the name day of Saint Nicholas on 6 December. The feast is celebrated annually with the giving of gifts on St. Nicholas' Eve (5 December) in the Netherlands and
The Feast of Saint Nicholas has behaved all year, and Saint Nicholas has rewarded her by stuffing her shoe with a doll and other treats, which she carries in her bucket. The "doll" is a representation of John the Baptist. The figure wears what appears to be a camel hair shirt and holds a long cross, both symbols tied to John the Baptist. Being the patron saint of epilepsy, the little girl's insistence on holding on to the figure may suggest she suffers from childhood convulsions or epilepsy. She is in stark contrast to her elder brother, standing to her right, who is sobbing, while