"Krampus" and "Christmas"
What is the Connection ?
"Krampus" and "Christmas"
What is the Connection ?
"Santa isn’t the only one keeping track
of who is naughty or nice. In some Alpine regions
of Europe (mainly Austria, Germany & Switzerland),
people still carry on celebrations involving one
of St. Nick’s lesser known companions, the Krampus."
-Beware of the Christmas Krampus!
Seven Trees - 12/9/08
Whatcom County : Washington : U.S.
"The Christmas demon Knecht Rupprecht (Krampus)
is also known as Pelznickle, "Furry Nicholas,"
and Ru-Klas, "Rough Nicholas." From these names,
it is easy to see that he (Krampus) is looked upon
as not merely a companion to St. Nicholas, but
almost another version of him."
- (Del Re, Gerard and Patricia.
The Christmas Almanack. New York:
Random House, 2004, pp. 93,94)
"Krampus is very old indeed. Some say the tradition
stems back to the pre-Christian era, and that the
Krampus known and feared by Austrians today is
a version of an ancient god incorporated into
Christian holidays."
-Beware of the Christmas Krampus!
Seven Trees - 12/9/08
Whatcom County : Washington : U.S.
"Santa's all well and good, but darker things
have always lurked in Austria's woods. Take the
Krampus, a towering, hairy creature with a long,
long tongue, goat's head and horns and cloven feet.
Krampus is no dancing Greek satyr. Instead, he roams
rural Austria clad in chains and carrying a stick,
terrifying misbehaving children the night before
St. Nicholas' Day."
-Goat-Headed Christmas Cheer
Run, Kris Kringle, Krampus Is Coming!
Spiegel Online International- Der Spiegel
Europe's leading newsmagazine
"There's no doubt that today the frightening
Krampus figure is an integral part of Christmas
celebrations in some parts of Austria and Hungary
Krampus brings punishment back to the Christmas
holiday, threatening naughty children with more
than a lump of coal in their stocking."
-Goat-Headed Christmas Cheer
Run, Kris Kringle, Krampus Is Coming!
Spiegel Online International- Der Spiegel
Europe's leading newsmagazine
"that devil-like Krampus roam the streets punishing
those for their bad doings thoughout the year.
They (Krampus) are often accompanied by St. Nicholas
and can be found in parades in the evening.
The Krampus, as seen above, are dressed in animal
furs, and often carry bells, chains, whips, and
baskets with them. In case you were wondering about
the baskets, they carry them on their backs in case
the Krampus need to take away the children who've
been bad throughout the year."
-Winter Holiday Traditions in Salzburg
BGSU's Programs in Austria
"Krampus and St. Nicholas"
"Although Saint Nicholas often accompanies
the Krampus on their parade through the streets -
he also brings children candy, fruit and small toys
if they are good during the year. During the parade,
he is often seen carrying a book - a book which holds
the names of all the both bad and good little girls
and boys. Children often put their boots out on the
window sill or in front of their bedroom door
in hopes of receiving candy from St. Nicholas.
The tradition of receiving candy, fruit, or small
presents in ones shoes has actually been brought
over to parts of the U.S. from europe."
-Winter Holiday Traditions in Salzburg
BGSU's Programs in Austria
"Krampus and St. Nicholas"
"Krampus is supposedly a devil like figure,
half man, half goat. He is one of the companions
of Father Christmas in his travels - part of
European lore."
-lostnfoundantiques
Lost and Found Antiques
Chocolate mold Krampus -
companion to Santa Claus
by Julia Moed
"Krampus - This mythological horned figure from
the Germanic Alps is a close companion of St. Nicholas.
While good children would receive gifts from St. Nick,
Krampus would punish children who misbehaved during
the Christmas season. December 5th is still set aside
in certain regions, noteably Austria, to celebrate him.
Many Christmas postcards were produced depicting Krampus
though many have mistaken him for images of the devil.
His most common features are his hairy body, horns,
long tongue, one hoof, and his accouterments of chains,
birch whip, and a basket to carry bad children away in.
Sometimes Krampus is portrayed in a comic manner."
-Metrpolitan Postcard Club of New York City
in the United States since 1946
"The Golden Age of Postcards"
by Alan Petrulis, Webmaster
"Back in the Middle Ages, St. Nicholas had
a sidekick named Krampus who took care of the
naughty children. Over the years as St. Nicholas
evolved into today's Santa Claus, and left Krampus
behind. Krampus didn't exactly fit into the
Coca-Cola image of Santa Clause that we all know
and love today."
-Infographics
Santa Claus vs. Krampus
by Randy Krum - 12/15/07
"Everyone is familiar with Santa Claus,
that jolly old elf who makes his way from house
to house on Christmas Eve to deliver toys
to the goodly children of the world.
Here in the USA, some may know of St. Nick’s
European heritage, but few are familiar with
his dark companion, Krampus. In many Alpine
European towns, the celebration of St. Nicholas
Day would not be the same without a celebration
on its Eve - honoring his dark servant."
-Krampus: The Sinister Sidekick of Santa
What the hell are they doing now?
Wunnspeed and Kera in the Fatherland…
"Originating in Germanic folklore - Krampus is
believed to be a beastial creature who accompanies
St. Nicholas on his earthly journey. While St. Nicholas
rewards the good children with gifts and sweets,
Krampus dispenses punishment to the wicked children
who have strayed from the path of good. It is said
he takes care of St. Nick’s “naughty list.”
Why, the mere sight of Krampus alone is enough
to turn any wrong-doer toward more peaceful pursuits."
-Krampus: The Sinister Sidekick of Santa
What the hell are they doing now?
Wunnspeed and Kera in the Fatherland…
"The name Krampus is derived from the Old High
German word for “claw.” This towering, seven foot
tall, hairy creature is depicted as having bulging
eyes, a whip-like tongue, pointed ears and horns
atop his head. He carries a pitchfork or, more
traditionally, a bundle of birch switches,
to menace children as he travels through town
on a pair of mismatched feet: one cloven hoof,
the other a bear-like claw. Wayward children
caught by Krampus are spanked, whipped and even
shackled to be spirited away in either a basket
or barrel to Krampus’ lair. Once there - they
receive further punishment until they are repentant."
-Krampus: The Sinister Sidekick of Santa
What the hell are they doing now?
Wunnspeed and Kera in the Fatherland…
"Krampus festivals throughout Alpine communities
kick off the holiday season with townspeople dressing
in Krampus costumes, running rampant through the
streets and putting a scare in the youngsters.
After the children have been given a proper fright
to ensure they stay on the straight and narrow,
the rowdy Krampus are rewarded with holiday spirits,
traditionally beer and schnapps. In fact, Krampus
celebrations have become so popular that they can
last for days before the arrival of Saint Nicholas."
-Krampus: The Sinister Sidekick of Santa
What the hell are they doing now?
Wunnspeed and Kera in the Fatherland…
"For those who revel in the spirited fun
of Halloween, Krampus-fest is the perfect
addition to your traditional Christmas
and holiday festivities!"
-Krampus: The Sinister Sidekick of Santa
What the hell are they doing now?
Wunnspeed and Kera in the Fatherland…
"The Krampus is a demon that, with the approval of
kindly St. Nick, terrorizes bad children and apparently
lusts after the ladies. His chief implements of torture
seems to be a switch and a tongue which would embarass
Gene Simmons. This is designed to frighten children
into behaving well. Germanic peoples have always
understood that the best way to rear children
is by keeping them terrified of the consequences
of bad behavior."
-Krampus
Happy Eve of St. Nicholas Day!
by Eric Brightwell; 12/5/08
"Krampus, of course, is Santa’s evil twin,
and travels with Santa to punish naughty boys
and girls while Santa hands out gifts to the
good children."
-Krampusnacht is Just Around the Corner!
ReCreating Tampa
by Dave Humor; 12/1/08
"A look at one of the lesser known aspects
of Christmas-time. Beware, boys and girls,
for if you are naughty you may receive a visit
from the Krampus! He has a whip and he isn’t
afraid to use it!"
-Krampus: The Sinister Sidekick of Santa
Holidays; R.J. Evans (United Kingdom)
London; 11/30/08
"But where did the legend of the Krampus originate?
The word itself comes from ‘krampen’ and is from
Old High German. It means claw. Krampus is an
incubus who accompanies Santa Claus, but does not
follow the old man’s prerogative of present giving.
An incubus is a demon in male form which visits
sleepers and lies upon them (the word comes from
the Latin ‘incubo’ which is to lie on top).
The Krampus is not your common or garden night
rapist, however: his brief is to punish the children
who have misbehaved during the year."
-Krampus: The Sinister Sidekick of Santa
Holidays; R.J. Evans (United Kingdom)
London; 11/30/08
"The Krampus legend originates in the Germanic
alpine regions and is widespread throughout Austria,
Hungary, Bavaria, Friul and Slovenia. A horned deity
supposedly roamed the forest in pre-Christian Europe.
Both Santa Klaus and Krampus are descended from these
old myths – the yin and yang of the winter period."
-Krampus: The Sinister Sidekick of Santa
Holidays; R.J. Evans (United Kingdom)
London; 11/30/08
"There seems so little Christianity left,
for the most part, in the mass celebration
of the festive season that people are reverting
to pagan tradition. That it ties in nicely
with the goth aesthetics of our day is, inevitably,
one of the reasons for its growing popularity
around the world."
-Krampus: The Sinister Sidekick of Santa
Holidays; R.J. Evans (United Kingdom)
London; 11/30/08
"But for many children, St. Nikolaus also elicited
fear, as he was often accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht
(Krampus), who would threaten to beat, or sometimes
actually beat the children for misbehaviour."
-Encyclopedia Britannica
under article - Saint Nicholas
"In Switzerland, where he is called Schmutzli,
he (Krampus) would threaten to put bad children
in a sack and take them back to the dark forest.
In other accounts he would throw the sack into
the river, drowning the naughty children. These
traditions were implemented more rigidly in Catholic
countries and regions such as Austria or Bavaria."
-Encyclopedia Britannica
under article - Saint Nicholas
"In Slovenia Saint Nikolaus (Miklavž) is accompanied
by a devil (parkelj) corresponding to the Austrian
Krampus. In Luxembourg Kleeschen (St. Nick) is
accompanied by the Houseker (Krampus) who is a
frightening helper wearing a brown monk's habit."
-Encyclopedia Britannica
under article - Saint Nicholas
"In Croatia - St. Nikolaus brings gifts to children
commending them for their good behaviour over the
past year and exhorting them to continue in the
same manner in the year to come. If they fail to do
so they will receive a visit from Krampus who
traditionally leaves a rod, an instrument that
their parents will use to discipline them."
-Encyclopedia Britannica
under article - Saint Nicholas
"In Hungary he (St. Nick) is often accompanied
by the Krampusz, the frightening helper who is out
to take away the bad children."
-Encyclopedia Britannica
under article - Saint Nicholas
"Krampus is a goat-horned, lusty incubus who
accompanies Father Christmas in the Alpine region
of Europe, and who enjoys whipping naughty children
as punishment for their misbehavior."
"Krampus is a mythical creature who accompanies
Saint Nicholas in various regions of the world
during the Christmas season. The word Krampus
originates from the Old High German word for "claw"
(Krampen). In the Alpine regions, Krampus is
represented by an incubus demon accompanying
Saint Nicholas. Instead of giving gifts to
good children, Krampus gives warnings and
punishments to the bad children. Traditionally,
young men dress up as the Krampus in the first
two weeks of December, and roam the streets
frightening children and women with rusty chains
and bells. In some rural areas the tradition
also includes birching by Krampus, especially of
young females."
-Wikipedia; The Free Encyclopedi
under article - "Krampus"
"In the Old World countries of Austria, Switzerland,
Bavaria, Slovenia, western Croatia and Italy
children learn that they truly must be
“good for goodness sake” because if they are not
then they will be paid a visit - not by St. Nick
but by Krampus - the Christmas 'Devil'.
Originating in Austrian folklore, Krampus is
a demon covered in shaggy hair and donning
curled horns with a long red tongue.
A companion of Santa, Krampus roams the cold,
dark nights of December carrying a large sack
and sliding down chimneys seeking naughty children
to stuff in his bag and beat with his switch."
-Of Epic Proportions:
A Blog on Myth and Mankind
"Krampus - The Christmas Devil"
Justin Morehead; 12/4/08
"In Europe, Krampus has become a certified
Christmas celebrity, rivaling Santa himself.
Every December - children and adults of all ages
all over Europe celebrate Krampus in a festival
that is equal parts Christmas, Halloween and
Mardi Gras. There is food and drink and vendors
of all kind. People wait along the streets
for the Krampusumzüge or “Krampus-Run”,
the main event in which dozens of individuals
dressed as Krampuses run through the streets
threatening and menacing children as well as
occasionally smacking a pretty young girl
on the rear with their switches."
-Of Epic Proportions:
A Blog on Myth and Mankind
"Krampus - The Christmas Devil"
Justin Morehead; 12/4/08
"Unfortunately Krampus has had little success
infiltrating the highly commercialized Christmas
of the U.S. with San Francisco being the only city
in America to have a (strictly adult oriented)
Krampus Day celebration."
-Of Epic Proportions:
A Blog on Myth and Mankind
"Krampus - The Christmas Devil"
Justin Morehead; 12/4/08
"Bad Christmas for Bad People" by the Krampus
Painted for "Krampus & Christmas" Show
at CoproNason Gallery, Culver City
Acrylic, ink and watercolor on paper, 5" x 7"
"The Krampus was also featured on the television
cartoon series The Venture Bros. In a short Christmas
episode, the Krampus is accidentally released from
a book of ancient occult magic and wreaks havoc
on Dr. Venture's Christmas party, attempting to
sodomize the Doctor before getting into a rather
violent brawl with Brock Samson. The demon is soothed
by the coming of Christmas at the stroke of midnight,
but unwittingly detonates a bomb hidden under a
small nativity scene set while exiting. At the end
of the episode this is all revealed to have been
a hallucination by Dr. Venture, brought on by a head
injury incurred when the Venture jet crashed -
in Bethlehem."
-Wikipedia; The Free Encyclopedia
under article -"Companions of Saint Nicholas"
"In the arcade game CarnEvil, the boss for the
"Rickety Town" level is named Krampus. He resembles
a large, horned, clawed, demonic Santa Claus clad
in green, and attacks by hurling flaming coals
and swinging his bag at the player.'
-Wikipedia; The Free Encyclopedia
under article -"Companions of Saint Nicholas"
"G4 (TV channel) created a Christmas commercial
featuring Krampus. In it some carolers sing about
Krampus while he enters a house putting the bad
children in his sack."
-Wikipedia; The Free Encyclopedia
under article -"Companions of Saint Nicholas"
"In the 2007 Christmas episode of the TV series,
Supernatural, the main characters hunt the Krampus,
a demonic 'anti-Santa' who comes at night and kills
fathers. An older hunter tells the characters that
neither Santa Claus nor Krampus exists, and that they
are "morons" for even considering the possibility.
The villains are revealed to be surviving pagan gods
who disguise themselves as Santa to capture victims
for their ancient Yuletide sacrifices."
-Wikipedia; The Free Encyclopedia
under article -"Companions of Saint Nicholas"
"On the 2007 album by indie band Sunset Rubdown
titled Random Spirit Lover, a picture of the Krampus
is featured on the back of the cover."
-Wikipedia; The Free Encyclopedia
under article -"Companions of Saint Nicholas"
Krampus Costumes like the one above can be found donned
by guests at popular Christmas parties in Europe. Note the guests
in the background of this picture as they sip on drinks and holiday
finger foods. Truly an upper-class party where the guests are
dressed in suits and ties.
"Krampus is variously depicted as horned, shaggy,
bestial, or demonic. In many depictions the Krampus
looks like popular images of the Devil, complete with
red skin, cloven hooves, and short horns."
-HA31 Art Event - Krampus
Founder, D. A. Sweigart,
fellow artist and web designer
"Everyone knows that Santa keeps lists of good
and bad children. If you are good you get a visit
from Santa and he leaves toys. However, in
turn-of-the-century Europe, if you were bad
you got a visit from KRAMPUS!"
-HA31 Art Event - Krampus
Founder, D. A. Sweigart,
fellow artist and web designer
"KRAMPUS appeared on Christmas cards that were sent
on the Eve Of St. Nick and was depicted as a black
dwarf dressed in a fur vest, Moorish clothes and
a devil mask or horns. As time passed his feet
were replaced with claws or hooves and sometimes
with one of each, and his body itself became
covered in fur and he wore little or no clothing.
Sometimes a common "devil" type tail was also added.
Eventually his tongue became obscenely long
as did his horns."
-HA31 Art Event - Krampus
Founder, D. A. Sweigart,
fellow artist and web designer
"On some occasions Christmas cards were sent
not with a picture of KRAMPUS but with a simple
picture of his switch or chains and the phrase
"Gruss Vom Krampus" (Greetings From Krampus) or
"Brav Sein!" (Be Good)."
-HA31 Art Event - Krampus
Founder, D. A. Sweigart,
fellow artist and web designer
"By the 1960's KRAMPUS became more associated
with adults and sex (much like a St. Valentine's
Day devil) and postcards of that time often portray
him leering at, and sometimes carrying away,
nubile young women."
-HA31 Art Event - Krampus
Founder, D. A. Sweigart,
fellow artist and web designer
"Numerous parallels have been drawn between
Santa Claus and the figure of Odin, a major god
amongst the Germanic peoples prior to their
Christianization. There are theories regarding
the pagan origins of various customs of the holiday
stemming from areas where the Germanic peoples were
Christianized and retained elements of their indigenous
traditions, surviving in various forms into modern
depictions of Santa Claus. The pagan god, Odin, was
recorded, at the native Germanic holiday of Yule..."
-St. Nicholas - His Legend and His Role
in the Christmas Celebration
McKnight, George Harley. (1917)
"The Christmas demon Knecht Rupprecht (Krampus)
is also known as Pelznickle, "Furry Nicholas,"
and Ru-Klas, "Rough Nicholas." From these names,
it is easy to see that he (Krampus) is looked upon
as not merely a companion to St. Nicholas, but
almost another version of him."
- (Del Re, Gerard and Patricia.
The Christmas Almanack. New York:
Random House, 2004, pp. 93,94)
"Black Pete (Krampus), the ‘grandfather’ of our
modern Santa Claus. Known in Holland as
Zwarte Piet, this eighteenth-century German
version, is—like his ancient shamanic ancestor—
still horned, fur-clad, scary, and less than kind
to children. Although portrayed as the slave
helper of Saint Nicholas, the two are, in many
villages, blended into one character. This figure
often has the name Nikolass or Klaus, but has
the swarthy appearance of the Dark Helper. "
-(Renterghem, Tony van.
When Santa Was a Shaman. St. Paul:
Llewellyn Publications, 1995, p. 98)
"Artist Thomas Nast is rightfully credited
for conceiving the image of our modern day Santa,
but Nast’s model for Santa was not the Bishop
St. Nicholas but his dark companion,
the evil Pelznickle."
"Some other well known titles given to St. Nick’s
bizarre companion is a demon, evil one, the devil
and Satan. One of his dark duties was to punish
bad children."
"Christmas historian Miles Clement relates that
no "satisfactory account has yet been given"
to the origins of these demons and devils that
appear with St. Nicholas."
"The Christian figure of Saint Nicholas
was depicted wearing a bishop's robes and was
said to be accompanied at times by Black Peter,
an elf whose job was to whip the naughty children."
-("Santa Claus"
Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 99)
"Ruprecht (Krampus) here plays the part of bogeyman,
a black, hairy, horned, cannibalistic, stick-carrying
nightmare. His role and character are of unmitigated
evil, the ultimate horror that could befall children
who had been remiss in learning their prayers and
doing their lessons. He was hell on earth."
-(Siefker, Phyllis. Santa Claus, Last of the Wild Men:
The Origins and Evolution of Saint Nicholas.
Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc., 1997, p. 155)
"In Sarajevo in Bosnia, Saint Nickolas appears
with gifts for the children in spite of the war
and shelling. He is assisted by a small black devil
who scares the children."
-(Renterghem, Tony van.
When Santa Was a Shaman. St. Paul:
Llewellyn Publications, 1995, p. 102)
"Like Santa, Sinterklaas and the Dark Helper (Krampus)
were also supposed to have the peculiar habit of
entering homes through the chimney."
-(Renterghem, Tony van.
When Santa Was a Shaman. St. Paul:
Llewellyn Publications, 1995, p. 102)
"Another Christmas demon from lower Austria,
Krampus or Grampus, accompanies St. Nicholas
in December."
-(Del Re, Gerard and Patricia.
The Christmas Almanack. New York:
Random House, 2004, p. 94)
"In many areas of Germany, Hans Trapp (Krampus)
is the demon who accompanies Christkind on its
gift-giving round."
-(Del Re, Gerard and Patricia.
The Christmas Almanack. New York:
Random House, 2004, p. 75)
"It is the Christkind who brings the presents,
accompanied by one of its many devilish companions,
Knecht Rupprecht, Pelznickle, Ru-Klas, Krampus."
-(Del Re, Gerard and Patricia.
The Christmas Almanack. New York:
Random House, 2004, p. 70)
"Artist Thomas Nast is rightfully credited
for conceiving the image of our modern day Santa,
but Nast’s model for Santa was not the Bishop
St. Nicholas but his dark companion,
the evil Pelznickle (Krampus)."
