Krampus is a terrifying, horned, half-goat, half-demon figure in German and Alpine folklore who punishes misbehaving children during the Christmas season. On Krampusnacht (Dec 5), he accompanies St. Nicholas, swatting naughty children with birch sticks or carrying them away in a sack.
In these cultures, on the fifth of December, also known as Krampusnacht, Krampus tags along with St. Nicholas, beating misbehaving children with birch sticks or, in some cases, kidnapping them in his sack and devouring them.
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.
Krampus, in central European popular legend, a half- goat, half-demon monster that punishes misbehaving children at Christmastime. He is the devilish companion of St. Nicholas. Krampus is believed to have originated in Germany, and his name derives from the German word Krampen, which means “claw.”
The Krampus punishes children who have misbehaved during the year. This is in contrast to Saint Nicholas who rewards well-behaved children with gifts. Instead of a reward, naughty children are captured by the Krampus and carried off in a sack to his mountain lair.
Austrians in the community we studied are quite aware of "heathen" elements being blended with Christian elements in the Saint Nicholas customs and in other traditional winter ceremonies. They believe Krampus derives from a pagan supernatural who was assimilated to the Christian devil.
The devilish companion of St. Nicholas, Krampus punishes naughty children. The half-goat, half-demon monster beats them with branches and sticks, and, in some cases, he is said to eat them or take them to hell in the basket usually strapped to his back.
Character folklore includes the stories of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, the Godfather Death, the trickster hero Till Eulenspiegel, the Town Musicians of Bremen and Faust.
The term “Belsnickeling” comes from Belsnickel, a companion figure to Santa Claus in German folklore. Think of Belsnickel as the stern equivalent to the jolly Saint Nick. Belsnickel traditionally dressed in furs (or sometimes rags, depending on the area) and carried a switch (a small wooden whip).
Krampus punishes misbehaving children by swatting them with birch branches, whisking them away in a sack or basket to drown, eat, or take them to Hell, or sometimes just scaring them during street parades, serving as a devilish companion to St. Nicholas who rewards good children with presents. He carries chains to symbolize the Devil's binding and uses bundles of sticks (ruten) to hit children, alongside his basket for kidnapping.
According to this unique German Christmas Tradition, a man dressed as der Heilige Nikolaus (St. Nicholas, who resembles a bishop and carries a staff) goes from house to house to bring small gifts to the children, often leaving them in boots that the children leave out the night before.
Krampus was banned at various times by authorities, including the Catholic Church and fascist governments in 20th-century Austria, because his devilish appearance and menacing customs were seen as too scary for children, too pagan, or linked to socialism, with officials fearing the tradition harmed children's mental health and promoted devil worship. While suppressed, the tradition survived and has seen a major resurgence as an alternative, edgier holiday figure.
What do Germans do on the 25th and 26th of December?
On December 25th (First Christmas Day) and 26th (Second Christmas Day, Zweiter Weihnachtstag), Germans enjoy official public holidays focused on quiet family time, large festive meals with traditional foods like roast goose or carp, exchanging gifts (which often happens on Christmas Eve), and visiting relatives, with most shops remaining closed as the celebration continues after the main gift-giving on Christmas Eve (Heiligabend).
Krampus's name is derived from the German word krampen, meaning claw, and is said to be the son of Hel in Norse mythology. The legendary beast also shares characteristics with other scary, demonic creatures in Greek mythology, including satyrs and fauns.
However, it seems anise or black licorice also works as a deterrent. Just stuff some black licorice in an old smelly gym sock and lay next to your wooden shoes and you should be fine. But don't forget to put out a cookie plate for St. Nick.
kobold, in German folklore, mischievous household spirit who usually helps with chores and gives other valuable services but who often hides household and farm tools or kicks over stooping persons. He is temperamental and becomes outraged when he is not properly fed. He sometimes sings to children.
To answer the simplest question first, Krampus is a folklore character who comes primarily from German-speaking regions of Europe, especially Austria (Styria and Salzburg) and Germany (Bavaria).
While often depicted as a frightening figure, Krampus is not inherently "evil" in the traditional sense; he is more of a symbolic representation of punishment for bad behavior, essentially acting as a counterpoint to Santa Claus by scaring children into being good, especially in Alpine folklore where the legend ...
Nicholas, according to European folklore. Essentially, before the naughty or nice list, there was Krampus. If you were good, you wouldn't see Krampus. But if you were bad, he would come and either hit you with a birch stick or maybe even steal you away.
Popular legend indicates Krampus drags off naughty children, implying a diet including human flesh and bones. It may also consume livestock or forage on mountain vegetation. Krampus may have fed opportunistically on any food source available in ancient Alpine environments.
He beats children with birch branches or kidnaps them in his sack and takes them to his lair. Krampus' original, pre-Christian incarnation may have been intended to watch over humans and protect them, scaring away bad ghosts and helping people overcome fear, similar to the Austrian character Perchta.
