Krampus, Santa’s Scary Companion
by The warning “you better be good” carries a lot more weight in regions where Krampus is familiar to children. Who is this frightening creature who accompanies Santa Claus and punishes bad children?
Krampus is a familiar legend in the Alpine areas of Europe, including Austria, Bavaria and northern Italy. He is portrayed as a terrifying devil-like creature, complete with horns, cloven hooves, sharp teeth and a long, protruding tongue. He carries a pitchfork or a bundle of sticks with which to beat wicked children.
Image via Wikimedia Commons
The origin of Krampus dates back thousands of years. Since ancient times, European people celebrated the winter solstice by dressing up as animals and mythic characters such as Old Man Winter and a horned Goat-Man. The legend of Krampus accompanying St. Nicholas appears in folklore as far back as the 1600s.
Krampus makes the rounds with Santa Claus on the night of December 5, known as Krampusnacht. This is the eve of St. Nicholas Day, celebrated on December 6. While Santa is delivering gifts to good girls and boys, us is doling out punishments to the kids whose behavior has been less than ideal. He is said to snatch naughty children and carry them off to his cave in the mountains, where he will spank and whip them until they agree to change their ways. Some stories say Krampus will actually devour these bad children, and by the looks of him, this is not hard to believe.
In certain areas of northern Europe, Krampus celebrations take place in the days before St. Nicholas Day. People masquerade in Krampus costumes, running through the streets carrying torches in a wild celebration known as Krampuslauf (Krampus Run). Krampusnacht celebrations are now becoming popular in other areas of Europe, as well as in the United States. You better watch out!
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus
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Post Commentthestickman
On December 16, 2011 at 4:12 pm
eww! ;->