The Christkind is a sprite-like child, usually depicted with blond hair and angelic wings. Martin Luther intended it to be a reference to the incarnation of Jesus as an infant (see Christ Child).
The Christkind, a fairy-like being dressed in gold and white robes with a crown upon her golden locks, is the namesake of the Christkindlmarket. Christkind folklore dates back to the 1500s and stems from traditional customs: parades during the holiday season were guided by one “grand” angel, the Christkind.
Traditionally, Santa Claus, or Weihnachtsmann in German, does not drop down chimneys and deliver gifts the eve of Dec. 25 in Germany. Instead, the Christkind or Christkindl, an angel-like creature with blond hair and wings, brings gifts to families on the eve of Christmas.
As angels of all sorts began to be depicted as female and not only male, the Christkind also took on a feminine appearance. That is why today a young woman is chosen to play the part of the Nuremberg Christkind.
It comes from the German word Christkindl, meaning Christ child, because German children believe that the baby Jesus brings presents during the Christmas season.
5 German Christmas traditions you should know | History Stories
Why is Christkind a female?
Moreover, the figure of Christkind is also thought to have originated from the Christian tradition of the angels, who were believed to be messengers of God and who were often depicted as feminine. However, there are some who may disagree with the idea that this role should only be played by a female.
The term Weihnachtsmann is a very generic German term for Father Christmas, St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus. The German Weihnachtsmann is a fairly recent Christmas tradition having little if any religious or folkloric background.
The Nuremberg Christkind, with her white and golden dress, long blond curls and golden crown, has been the symbol of the Christmas Market for many decades. In fact, the event – the “Christkindlesmarkt” – is named for her.
It took a full year of education, inspiration and determination, but finally in 1988, Mifflinburg's first Christkindl opened in December, hosting vendors in twenty huts on a closed street. Though other German themed events took place throughout the United States, none occurred completely outdoors.
- They should either have been born in Nuremberg or have lived here for a long time. - They must be at least 16 years old, but no older than 19. - They must be at least 160 centimeters tall and not be afraid of heights. - They must be willing to work in any weather.
The Christkind (German for 'Christ-child'; pronounced [ˈkʁɪstkɪnt]), also called Christkindl, is the traditional Christmas gift-bringer in Austria, Switzerland, southern and western Germany, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the eastern part of Belgium, Portugal, Slovakia, Hungary, parts of ...
The modern figure of Santa is based on folklore traditions surrounding Saint Nicholas, the English figure of Father Christmas, and the Dutch figure of Sinterklaas.
The tradition of giving gifts to children on Christmas became a boon to the Markets. Martin Luther suggested that children receive presents from “The Christ Child”, Christkindl. German Christmas Markets are called Christkindlmarkt.
In parts of Austria, Germany, northern Italy, Switzerland, Hungary, and several other central European countries the traditional bringer of Christmas gifts each year is the Christkind or Christ Child.
Keep reading and you'll find that Christmas is inspired by traditions from the Romans, Celtics, Norse, Druids, and more (all pagan). At the time, all of these different groups shared one big celebration that just hapened to fall around Christmas time – the winter solstice.
What does Santa Claus look like? Today's most common depiction of Santa Claus is of a portly white-bearded gentleman dressed in a red suit with a black belt and white fur trim, black boots, and a soft red cap with white fur trim.
Turns out the 4th-century bishop, from whom Santa Claus is derived, was a short swarthy man with dark brown eyes and a broken nose. A 3D digital face of Saint Nicholas was first created in 2006 for a BBC documentary when the Vatican granted scientists access to X-rays and measurements taken from the saint's remains.
If you think, judging by that white beard and hair, Kris Kringle might be around 70 or 80, the truth is he's far, far older. According to History.com, the monk who over time would evolve into Santa Claus was born in what is now modern-day Turkey in 280 A.D., making him a whopping 1,741 years old!
Unlike North American versions of Santa Claus, in these celebrations Saint Nicholas concerns himself only with the good children, while Krampus is responsible for the bad. Nicholas dispenses gifts, while Krampus supplies coal and the Rute.
Krampus is a mythical creature who is often depicted with horns and a demon-like face. According to myth, which likely originated in what is now Germany and Austria, the creature punished children who behaved badly.
The legend of the Krampus dates back centuries, originating as a German Christmas tradition during the 12th century. Beginning in early December, the children of Germany would begin to hear whispers of a dark haired creature bearing horns and fangs, carrying a bundle of birch sticks used to swat naughty children.
