The Austrian Krampus: Folklore And Traditions

Krampus is a half-goat, half-demon figure from Central and Eastern European folklore who punishes misbehaving children at Christmastime. The character is believed to have originated in Germany, but appears in the folklore of Austria, Bavaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Northern Italy, Slovakia, and Slovenia. In Austrian tradition, Krampusnacht (Krampus Night) is celebrated each year on St. Nicholas Eve (December 5), the day before St. Nicholas Day, when children receive gifts or a lump of coal.

Krampus is a half-goat, half-demon monster that punishes misbehaving children at Christmastime

In Central European folklore, Krampus is described as a half-goat, half-human figure with roots in pagan winter solstice mythology. The tradition of Krampus processions dates back many centuries in the Tyrol region of Austria, where local men dress as fearsome half-goat, half-demon characters and dash through the streets. These costumes often consist of real animal hide and intricately carved masks depicting devils and demons.

Krampus festivities include the Krampuslauf or "Krampus run", where people dressed as the creature parade through the streets, scaring and sometimes chasing spectators. During these events, Krampus figures will often rattle chains, flick whips, or brandish flaming torches. While the tradition is meant to be harmless, there have been instances of violence and drunkenness, with spectators sometimes taking revenge for whippings and attacking Krampus figures.

Krampus is believed to have originated from pre-Christian pagan rituals and was later incorporated into Christian traditions. The character is often depicted with goat-like features, including horns, hooves, and a coat of fur. He is also associated with the colour black and is often shown carrying chains and a bundle of birch branches, which he uses to beat misbehaving children.

Krampus is believed to have originated in Germany, and his name derives from the German word Krampen, meaning claw

Krampus is believed to have originated in Germany, and his name derives from the German word "Krampen", meaning "claw". The figure has its roots in pre-Christian Alpine traditions and is thought to have been originally a pagan supernatural being.

In Central European folklore, Krampus is a half-goat, half-demon monster that punishes misbehaving children during the Christmas season. He is the companion of St. Nicholas, who rewards well-behaved children with gifts. Krampus, on the other hand, beats naughty children with birch branches or sticks and even takes them away in a sack, either to beat them later or to drag them down to hell. In some depictions, he is said to eat them.

Krampusnacht ("Krampus Night") is celebrated on the evening of December 5, the day before St. Nicholas Day (December 6). This is when Krampus appears on the streets, sometimes accompanying St. Nicholas, and visits homes and businesses. The tradition of Krampus processions dates back many centuries and continues to be practised today in Austria, particularly in the state of Tyrol, and other parts of Central Europe.

The Krampus costume typically consists of fur, large horns, a demonic mask, and a bundle of birch branches or sticks. The figure is believed to have evolved from a pagan winter solstice deity into a sidekick of St. Nicholas, who is a Father Christmas-like figure in German and Austrian cultures.

Krampus celebrations in Austria include parades, where people dress up as the creature and chase children

Krampus celebrations in Austria include parades, where people dress up as the creature and sometimes chase children. These parades are known as "Krampusläufe" ("Krampus runs" in English). The tradition of Krampus processions dates back many centuries in Austria, particularly in the region of Tirol. The celebrations usually take place in early December, around Saint Nicholas Day on the 6th of December.

In these parades, people dressed as Krampus—typically young men—dash through the streets in heavy costumes made from real animal hide and intricately carved masks depicting fearsome devils and demons. The costumes often include shaggy pelts, bells, curved horns, and terrifying masks. The participants stomp and dance through the streets, growling and brandishing sticks, chains, and whips, scaring spectators and sometimes chasing them. In some cases, children are tossed into a sack and dragged through the snow. The parades are intended to scare away the bad spirits of winter.

The Krampus figure is said to accompany Saint Nicholas, who rewards well-behaved children with gifts, while Krampus punishes the badly behaved ones. Krampus is believed to have originated in pre-Christian Germanic or Alpine folklore and was later incorporated into Christian traditions. The character is typically depicted as a half-goat, half-demon monster with horns, claws, and a long tongue.

The Krampus parades in Austria have become increasingly popular, drawing comparisons to festivals like the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, and Oktoberfest in Germany. The city of Salzburg alone has over 200 parade clubs, known as "Pässe," that participate in the celebrations. These parades attract people of all ages but are especially favoured by college-age and post-collegiate locals and visitors.

Krampus is the devilish companion of St. Nicholas, who rewards well-behaved children with gifts

Krampus is a devilish half-goat, half-demon monster and companion of St. Nicholas, who rewards well-behaved children with gifts. Krampus, believed to have originated in Germany, gets his name from the German word 'Krampen', meaning 'claw'. He is said to have originated from pagan rituals for the winter solstice and was later incorporated into Christian traditions.

Krampus is said to accompany St. Nicholas on visits to children on the night of December 5, known as Krampusnacht or Krampus Night. While St. Nicholas rewards good children with gifts, Krampus is responsible for punishing the badly behaved ones. Krampus is often depicted as having horns, a snake-like tongue, and one human foot and one goat foot. He carries chains and birch branches, which he uses to swat children.

The tradition of Krampus processions dates back many centuries, particularly in the Austrian region of Tirol. Men dress up as Krampus, wearing heavy costumes made from animal hide and intricately carved masks. These processions, known as "Umzüge" or "Läufe", often involve wild ceremonies and acts of strength and courage.

Krampus festivities include the Krampuslauf or Krampus run, where people dressed as the creature parade through the streets, scaring and sometimes chasing spectators. These runs have become increasingly popular in Austria and are often accompanied by alcohol consumption. While Krampus was originally portrayed as a sidekick to St. Nicholas, his character has evolved into a standalone figure in modern times.

Krampusnacht (Krampus Night) is celebrated each year on St. Nicholas Eve, the day before St. Nicholas Day (December 6)

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, particularly around early December, Krampus parades or "Krampuslaufs" are held throughout many of Austria's alpine villages. These parades are a modern-day version of the traditional Krampus run, where people would chase children down the street in a menacing manner, threatening to beat them for misbehaving. Today, the parades are enthusiastically celebrated in several Central European countries, especially in the Austrian state of Tyrol.

The parades typically feature young people dressed in fur suits, wooden masks, and belts adorned with cowbells, creating a terrifying ambiance. The masked actors play the role of Krampus, seeking out innocent bystanders, usually older children and adults, to whip with birch branches or prickly brooms. While the tradition is meant to be harmless, there have been concerns about rising violence and drunkenness associated with the festivities in recent years.

Krampus is believed to accompany St. Nicholas, who rewards well-behaved children with gifts. In contrast, Krampus punishes those who have been naughty, either beating them with branches or taking them to hell. According to legend, he captures naughty children in his sack and decides their fate based on the severity of their misdeeds.

Krampusnacht serves as a unique holiday tradition that blends elements of pagan winter solstice mythology with Christian influences. It adds a layer of excitement and intrigue to the festive season, providing a contrast between the jolly figure of St. Nick and the menacing presence of Krampus.

Frequently asked questions