Did you know that during the Christmas holiday, Santa Claus is not the only one who shows up?
This year’s Christmas season, instead of light comedy films, the famous Universal studio has chosen to … spread fear with the image of a demon in Western legend – Krampus.
So what’s so special about this demon? Why is it likened to the “evil version” of Santa Claus ? Let’s find out through the following article.
For a long time, Christmas has always been considered the warmest and happiest time of the year when family members, no matter how far away, try to return to gather and reunite with their loved ones. With children, Santa Claus will bring them presents on Christmas Eve if during 365 days of the year, they always do good deeds. However, contrary to the tradition of receiving gifts from Santa Claus, Christmas Day can become a nightmare if it is visited by the demon Krampus. In Austrian legend, Krampus is a man of goat origin, considered a dark version of Santa Claus who specializes in finding and punishing spoiled children.
Krampus – the dark version of Santa Claus.
Krampus is a demon that appears in German and Austrian folklore . For people living in the Alps, besides Santa Claus, this is also an indispensable character in every Christmas season.
His name comes from German: Krampen means “claw” . Accordingly, Krampus is described as the embodiment of the devil with a body half human, half goat, long horns and a mustache.
He wears a chain of bells and a bunch of birch sticks to beat bad children (contrary to the image of Santa Claus giving gifts to children).
Krampus is a fearsome demon, specializing in punishing naughty children – contrary to Santa Claus who gives gifts to children.
Krampus’ appearance varies by region and country : he can have a face reminiscent of demons, goats, and bats, but he can also be… as cute as Snowman.
However, the image of this devil always has a few characteristics: dark hair, has a human-shaped leg and a horse’s leg, along with a long, pointed tongue.
The image of this evil species always has a few characteristics: dark fur, long and pointed tongue…
Initially, Krampus had nothing to do with Christianity . He is said to be the son of the god Hel in Norse mythology.
However, there is no definitive record of the origin of this demon. According to some sources, the legend of Krampus is said to originate from oral stories from BC.
But it was only in the seventeenth century that Krampus was brought to Christmas with Saint Nicholas (the reincarnation of Santa Claus) and was considered his “evil version “.
According to legend, on the night of December 5, this demon will visit every house – just like Santa Claus.
Why the evil version? That’s because the feast of Saint Nicholas is celebrated on December 6 in many European countries. And right before this holiday, December 5, will be the day when Krampus reigns.
According to legend, on the night of December 5, this demon will visit every house – just like Santa Claus. However, instead of giving children gifts and sweets, Krampus would beat bad children with sticks.
He will even put them in sacks and throw them into the stream, or simply… bring them straight to hell.
Krampuslauf Festival.
So on this day, people in Austria and some European countries will disguise themselves as Krampus demons and participate in the Krampuslauf race.
They often don carved wooden masks, bells, necklaces, and elaborate Krampus costumes to race through town together.
Participants in this festival often wear carved wooden masks, bells, necklaces and Krampus costumes.
A special feature of this race is that they also have the right… to hit the audience. Like the image of Krampus hitting children with birch branches, festivalgoers on this day can do the same. They usually target the legs and thighs, and the victims are mostly teenagers.
And because of the spirit of the festival, the bruises and panic that viewers have to endure can all be ignored.
A tradition in Styria is that Krampus impersonators will go from house to house with branches of yellow birch painted as gifts for children.
Another tradition in Styria (a state in southeastern Austria) that is still maintained today, is that Krampus impersonators will go door to door with yellow-painted birch branches to give to children.
Families will hang this branch on the wall for the next year to “remind” their children to be obedient if they do not want to be beaten by Krampus.
In the two cities of Kitzbuhel and Stallhofen in Austria and Germany there is a museum dedicated to Krampus.
Today, the wooden mask used in the Krampus races is considered a piece of traditional art worth preserving. They are often meticulously hand-carved and have different unique motifs.
In the two cities of Kitzbuhel and Stallhofen in Austria and Germany there is a museum dedicated to Krampus. There are displays of ancient costumes and masks that were used for the customs of this holiday.
This is one of the iconic characters with great significance for many European countries.
Krampus is one of the iconic figures of great significance to many European countries. And now, this evil species is becoming more and more known in America and Asia. It is like a “different dish” for those who are fed up with the spirit of “having fun” of the festive season.
In fact, being chased by a demon before Noel can also be an interesting experience.