Piet

Piet is a character from Dutch and Belgian folklore who accompanies Sinterklaas during the winter holiday season, celebrated on December 5th in the Netherlands and early December in Belgium. Originally known as Zwarte Piet (Black Pete), this character traditionally wore Renaissance-inspired clothing with vibrant colors, ruffled collars, feathered hats, and carried a burlap sack for distributing gifts. The classic Piet was depicted with a dark complexion, gold earrings, and exaggerated facial features, rooted in 19th-century depictions influenced by European perceptions of Moorish figures.

In recent years, however, Piet’s appearance has evolved to address the controversies surrounding racial stereotyping. Today, Roetveeg Piet (Soot Piet) is a popular adaptation that maintains the festive attire while adding only subtle smudges of soot on the face, suggesting the marks left from climbing down chimneys, in line with the character's backstory of delivering gifts. This new portrayal is seen as a more culturally sensitive representation, maintaining Piet's role as a helper of Sinterklaas while honoring the character's roots in Dutch holiday tradition.

I am offering only the Roetveeg Piet version here, in line with CivitAI's content policy. This version respects contemporary cultural considerations while retaining Piet’s cheerful and mischievous spirit, a beloved part of the Sinterklaas tradition that brings joy to children and families.

For those specifically interested in Zwarte Piet, feel free to reach out to me via DM.