Rudolph (Christmas)

Rudolph is the titular character of the story Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the famous song spun off from it. He is Santa's ninth and lead reindeer, who possesses an unusually red-colored nose that gives off its own light (bioluminescence), powerful enough to illuminate through inclement winter weather. Although he is initially teased and called names by his peers because of his nose, he becomes a hero when, on a particularly murky Christmas Eve, he is recruited by Santa to lead his reindeer team and guide his sleigh in the sky through the bad weather to complete his annual journey.

The character's story, which is told as a poem in the meter of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, was written by Robert L. May in 1939 as part of his employment with Montgomery Ward. It is owned by The Rudolph Company, L.P. and has been sold in numerous forms, most notably the song, written by Johnny Marks. Although the story and the song are not public domain, Rudolph himself has become a figure of Christmas folklore.