Santa's Austrian Animal Helpers: Reindeer And More

In Austria, the horned anthropomorphic figure Krampus is said to accompany Saint Nicholas on visits to children during the night of 5 December. While Saint Nicholas rewards well-behaved children with small gifts, Krampus is responsible for punishing the badly behaved ones with birch rods. Krampus is usually depicted as a man with horns, one human foot, and one cloven hoof. He is hairy, with a long tongue and fangs, and carries chains and birch branches.

Krampus: a horned figure who accompanies St Nicholas in the Alpine folkloric tradition

In Alpine folklore, Krampus is a horned figure who accompanies St. Nicholas on visits to children on the night of December 5, known as Krampusnacht ("Krampus Night"), before the Feast of St. Nicholas on December 6. St. Nicholas rewards well-behaved children with gifts, while Krampus punishes the badly behaved ones with birch rods.

The origin of Krampus is unclear, but some believe the figure may have pre-Christian origins. Krampus is typically depicted as a man with horns, one human foot, and one goat foot. He is covered in black hair and has a long, snake-like tongue. These characteristics have made Krampus a popular character in horror films and costumes.

In the 17th century, Krampus was paired with St. Nicholas as his helper. As a saint, it was not deemed appropriate for Nicholas to deliver punishments, so Krampus was assigned to him as an assistant. Krampus carries chains, which are thought to symbolize the binding of the Devil by the Christian Church, and a bundle of birch branches, occasionally replaced by a whip, with which he swats children. On Christmas Eve, Krampus carries a sack or basket on his back, used to take away naughty children for drowning, eating, or transport to Hell.

The Feast of St. Nicholas is celebrated in parts of Europe, particularly in Austria, where Krampus is a well-known figure. Krampus visits homes and businesses, sometimes accompanying St. Nicholas and sometimes on his own. While St. Nicholas wears the vestments of a bishop and carries a golden ceremonial staff, Krampus appears as a wicked, hairy devil. St. Nicholas concerns himself only with the good children, while Krampus is responsible for the bad.

The Krampus tradition was prohibited in Austria following the 1932 election by the Dollfuss regime and the Christian Social Party. However, in the 1950s, there was a resurgence in Krampus celebrations, which continue today. Krampus has also been imported into popular culture, appearing in movies, TV shows, and games.

Krampuslauf: a run where people dress as Krampus to scare the audience

In Austria, Saint Nicholas is accompanied by Krampus, a horned anthropomorphic figure from Central and Eastern Alpine folklore. Krampuslauf, or the Krampus Run, is an event where young men dress up as Krampus and attempt to scare the audience with their antics. The tradition is believed to have originated from pagan times, with some arguing that Krampus derives from a pagan supernatural entity that was later assimilated to the Christian devil.

The Krampuslauf is a revival of the older Perchtenlaufen, processions where people would masquerade as Percht, a devilish, two-legged humanoid goat with a giraffe-like neck, wearing animal furs. The Perchtenlaufen were banned by the Catholic Church and some civil authorities, but the ban was not effectively enforced in the rugged Alpine region. Eventually, the Perchtenlauf evolved into the Krampuslauf, with the Percht transforming into the Krampus and being subjected to Saint Nicholas' will.

The Krampus is typically portrayed as a hairy man with horns, one human foot, and one goat foot. He is usually covered in black hair and has a long, snake-like tongue. Krampus carries chains, which are thought to symbolize the binding of the Devil by the Christian Church, and a bundle of birch branches, which he uses to swat children. On Christmas Eve, he carries a sack or basket on his back to take away naughty children.

While the Krampuslauf has faced criticism and controversy, with some arguing that it is too frightening for young children, it remains a popular tradition in Austria, with a resurgence of celebrations in the 1950s and continuing to the present day.

Krampus Night: the night before the Feast of St Nicholas when Krampus appears on the streets

In Austria, the night before the Feast of St Nicholas is known as Krampus Night, or Krampusnacht, when the Krampus appears on the streets. The Feast of St Nicholas is celebrated on 6 December, so Krampus Night takes place on the evening of 5 December.

The Krampus is a horned, anthropomorphic figure from Central and Eastern Alpine folklore. He accompanies Saint Nicholas, who rewards well-behaved children with gifts. In contrast, the Krampus punishes badly-behaved children with birch rods, or takes them away in a sack or washtub. The figure of the Krampus is thought to originate from pre-Christian times, and is believed to have been assimilated into Christian tradition as a helper to Saint Nicholas.

The Krampus is usually depicted as a man with horns, with one cloven hoofed foot of a goat, and one human foot. He is covered in black or brown hair and has a long, snake-like tongue. He carries chains, which symbolise the binding of the Devil by the Church, and cowbells, to remind children that the Devil is bound by the Church. He also carries birch branches, which he uses to swat children.

The tradition of Krampus Night was prohibited by the Dollfuss regime under the Nazis in the 1930s and 40s, and the Austrian government distributed pamphlets titled "Krampus is an Evil Man" in the 1950s. However, the tradition continued in private homes and the countryside, and has since seen a resurgence, with Krampus celebrations becoming popular once more.

Krampus in popular culture: the figure has been imported into movies, TV shows and games

In popular culture, Krampus, the "Christmas Devil" of Austrian and Bavarian folklore, has been imported into movies, TV shows, and games.

Movies

Krampus has been featured in several horror movies, including:

• Krampus: The Christmas Devil (2013)
• Vom Krampus: zwischen Latexhaut und Schaffell (2013)
• Krampus: The Reckoning (2015)
• A Christmas Horror Story (2015)
• Krampus (2015)
• Krampus: The Devil Returns (2016)
• Krampus Unleashed (2016)
• Mother Krampus (2017)
• Mother Krampus 2 (2018)
• Krampus origins (2018)
• Slay Belles (2018)
• Red One (2024)
• Anti-Claus (release date TBA)
• Happy Krampus! (release date TBA)

TV Shows

Krampus has also made appearances in numerous TV shows, including:

• The Colbert Report (2009)
• Inside No. 9 (2016)
• The Venture Brothers (2004)
• Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (2012)
• American Dad! (2013)
• Robot Chicken (2015, 2017, 2018)
• Teen Titans Go!
• Regular Show (2016)
• The League (2012)
• The Aquabats! Super Show! (2013)
• Grimm (2013)
• Lost Girl (2013)
• Murdoch Mysteries (2015)
• The Santa Clauses (2022)
• The Family Histories Podcast (2022)

Games

In addition to movies and TV shows, Krampus has been featured in video games such as:

• Overwatch
• Killing Floor 2

Krampus has also been referenced in other media, such as graphic novels, novels, and music.

Krampus celebrations: these occur in North America and are a growing phenomenon

Krampus celebrations, also known as Krampusnacht, are a growing phenomenon in North America. Krampus is the "Christmas Devil" of Austrian and Bavarian folklore, and his celebrations are part of a growing movement of anti-Christmas celebrations. These events provide a novel alternative to mainstream festivities, or a "bah, humbug" rejection of them. Krampus has also been interpreted as an antihero who prevents children from becoming spoiled by consumerism.

Krampusnacht celebrations in North America tend to be less folklore-infused, and more like a clash between Halloween and Christmas. However, some locations focus on creating more authentic celebrations. Bloomington, Indiana, for example, holds the largest Krampus event in North America, a nighttime winter parade that promotes good behaviour. The event features historical accuracy, with hairy beasts and fire performers. Festivalgoers can choose to wear a "naughty" or "nice" sticker, with those choosing "naughty" risking lashings and harassment from Krampus-clad merrymakers.

Other Krampus celebrations in North America include:

• Krampus Haunted Christmas in Portland, Oregon, which embraces the horrific side of the goat demon with a Christmas-themed interactive haunted house.
• Krampusnacht in Washington, D.C., a family-friendly event with a charitable angle, featuring fire dancing, folk dances, and gifts for children.
• Krampus Fest in New York City, which features a live DJ and a wheel of doom.
• Krampuslauf, Ball, and an 18th-century theatrical play in Los Angeles, California.
• Krampus NOLAuf Parade in New Orleans, Louisiana, which includes German witches, woodland spirits, and other pagan creatures.

Frequently asked questions