A long time ago a very strong and big ferryman lived on the banks of the Daugava River. One night a little boy came to him and asked to be carried across the river. Though a thunderstorm raged, the man could not refuse this little boy. He took him on his shoulder and carried over the turbulent waves. Half way across, the weight of this boy became so heavy that the man could only continue with great effort. However, he pulled himself together and with the last of his powers put the boy safely on the other side of the river. This boy turned out to be a child-Christ and so the carrier received the name of Kristaps (Christopher).

In about 1510, a wooden sculpture appeared in Riga on the Daugava banks, called Big Christopher. The people of Riga often visited the sculpture, decorating it with ribbons and floral wreaths. By lighting candles they begged for his protection against evil. Locals honoured the statue irrespectively of their specific faith, which enabled it to be preserved until the present time.