Weihnachtsmann, Saint Nicholas and Krampus (2024)

FAQs

What are you supposed to leave out for Krampus? ›

According to folktales told in the Germanic area of Europe, Krampus comes to towns on the night before Saint Nicholas Day – the night of December 5^th this year. Typically, children leave their shoes out on their home's front porch on this night, because on St.

While St. Nicholas rewards nice children by leaving presents, Krampus beats those who are naughty with branches and sticks. In some cases, he is said to eat them or take them to hell.

The Krampus is a horned anthropomorphic goat figure with one human foot and a very long tongue who, in Central and Eastern Alpine folkloric tradition Christianity, is said to accompany Saint Nicholas on visits to children during the night of 5 December (Krampusnacht; "Krampus Night"), immediately before the Feast of St ...

Apparently created to strike terror in the hearts and minds of small children — and quite a few adults, too — Krampus traditionally carries a ruten bundle, or birch rod, to whip those who have misbehaved and chains to bind those who have strayed from the straight and narrow.

In essence, Krampus is the bad cop to Santa's good cop, Collins said. Krampus would often target children who behaved badly, hitting them with a tree branch known as a "switch," or even kidnapping them in a basket.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas each year, parades are held throughout many of Austria's alpine villages in honor of Krampus, a demonic creature said to be the "evil twin" of St. Nicholas.

Krampus, the christmas devil

Instead, Krampus whips and licks children into shape or carries them off in his sack."

Appropriate for kids who can handle a little violence! I am a christian mom with a 10, 12, and 14 year old. Trust me, some times they can get a little crazy! But my 12 and 14 year olds could handle this movie!

He is the only version of Krampus to be Pure Evil. His folklore counterpart does not count as Pure Evil due to being delusional and sometimes being genuinely nice to children.

Through most of Germany, St. Nicholas is assisted by a character named Knecht Ruprecht, in Switzerland by Schmutzli, in France and Luxembourg by Père Fouettard, in the Netherlands by Zwarte Piet, and in Slovenia by Parkelj. In Southern Germany and Austria, St. Nicholas' counterpart is Krampus.

Is Krampus a girl? ›

Krampus is one such character who comes from folklore in Austria's Alpine region, where he's been frightening children and amusing adults for hundreds of years. Krampus, the half-man, half-goat counterpart to St. Nicholas, has been apart of folklore in Austria's Alpine region for hundreds of years.

Origins of the Krampus Legend

The roots of the Krampus folklore can be traced back to pre-Christian Alpine traditions. Before Christianity spread across the region, the locals celebrated many pagan rituals, one of which honored Krampus. He was seen as the antithesis of Saint Nicholas (or Santa Claus).

According to some traditions, Krampus appears with bells and chains to show servitude to the Saint, while others believe Krampus has a willing partnership with the Saint and that the bells/chains serve as an advanced warning system to naughty children far and wide that the punishments are quick approaching.

Krampus wears a patchwork hooded robe trimmed with dirty fur grey fur, and hook chains bearing baubles with his name on each of them. He also wears a screaming Santa-like mask with long gray hair and a long gray beard.

He is usually drawn covered in black or brown hair and has a dominating presence, towering over humans at 8 or 9 feet tall. Krampus also came to represent the oncoming dark nights and the difficulty of surviving the Alps in the frigid winter. The name itself comes from the German word krampen, which means claw.

According to legend, Krampus will spend the night visiting each house. He might leave bundles of sticks for bad children—or he might just hit them with the sticks instead. He might toss them into a sack or basket on his back and then throw it in a stream, or he might straight-up take them to hell.

Celebrating Krampusnacht

On Krampus Night, towns and villages come alive with elaborate processions and parades, featuring individuals dressed as Krampus. The participants don intricate costumes, complete with horns, furs, and terrifying masks, embodying the mythical creature.

In countries like Austria, Germany, Hungary, and Slovenia, December 5th became known as Krampusnacht, or Krampus Night. On this night, men would dress as Krampus and roam the streets, terrifying children with chains and bells. The following day, December 6th, is celebrated as St.

Fruit Offerings: A Gesture of Conciliation with Krampus

By leaving them out, it's believed that Krampus might be swayed towards leniency for the mischievous. The practice of leaving fruit offerings stands as a prevalent means to appease Krampus.