Saint Nicholas ia an obscure individual, but the man that many Christians honor on December 6 was most likely the Bishop of Myra during Constantine the Great's era in the 4th century A.D. It has been said that he performed various miracles in regard to saving children from the harsh realities of that time. Eventually, he was honored in Holland, where he was known as Sinterklaas and on to the American colonies, New Amsterdam particularly. New Amsterdam would become New York City.
Now, how does this saintly man illustrate my semiotic theory of iconic realism?
1. He is a realistic, iconic figure.
2. His legend presents him as one who was able to perform miracles, placing him in iconic, realistic settings, not associated with those in power at that time.
3. Even though he had certain administrative powers within Church Law, he chose to help innocent, less fortunate children in order to transform people's hearts and bring them closer to the Mind of God.