Damon Mcknight
In Austria, Bad Santa is known as Krampus, the evil twin of St. Nicholas. Krampus is believed to be a half-goat, half-demon monster that punishes misbehaving children at Christmastime. The tradition of Krampus is thought to have originated in Germany and spread across the Alpine region, including Austria. Krampus Night or Krampusnacht is celebrated on December 5th or the evening before St. Nicholas Day. During this time, people dress up as Krampus and participate in parades or runs, known as Krampuslauf, to scare children and continue the tradition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Krampus |
| Other Names | Krampuslauf, Klaubauf(mann), Bartl, Bartel, Niglobartl, Wubartl, Barrel, Bartholomeus, Schmutzli, Pöpel, Hüllepöpel, Zember, Belzmärtel, Pelzmärtel, Parkelj, Percht |
| Description | A devilish, hairy, half-goat, half-demon monster that is the evil twin of St. Nicholas |
| Role | To capture and punish naughty children by beating them with sticks or branches or taking them to hell |
| Date | 5th or 6th of December |
| Location | Austria, particularly Tyrol, and other parts of Central Europe |
| Participants | People dress up as Krampus and parade through the streets, sometimes chasing people |
| History | Originated in the Middle Ages and stems from pagan winter solstice mythology; banned in the 1930s but regained popularity in the late 20th century |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Krampus is Bad Santa
Krampus is a popular Eastern European folklore legend, stemming from the pagan winter solstice mythology. He is said to be the son of Hel, the Norse god of the underworld, and carries off naughty children to hell to punish them. The less mischievous ones are left with a birch rod in their shoes as a warning to behave better in the upcoming year.
Krampus has also been described as a half-goat, half-demon monster. He is often depicted with devil-like horns, fake fangs, red eyes or contacts, and shoes resembling hooves. In some depictions, he has one human foot and one cloven hoof.
Krampus is believed to be the evil twin of St. Nicholas and is celebrated in Austria as Bad Santa. The Krampuslauf or Krampus run is a popular event in Tyrol, Austria, where people parade through the streets in costumes and masks, scaring spectators and sometimes chasing them. The biggest Krampus parades in the world are in Toblach, Italy, and Bad Goisern, Austria, with 600 and 800 participants, respectively.
Krampus has been featured on postcards and greeting cards, often with humorous rhymes and poems. While older versions depicted a more frightening Krampus, modern versions have a cuter, more Cupid-like creature.
The Sound of Music Filming Locations in Austria
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$12.04 $12.95
Krampus is St. Nicholas' evil twin
Krampus, the Bad Santa, is believed to be the evil twin of St. Nicholas. Legend has it that if you live in Austria and have been a naughty child, then your Christmas will not be so merry. While St. Nicholas rewards nice children by leaving presents, Krampus punishes the naughty ones.
Krampus is a popular Eastern European folklore legend, said to have originated in Germany and spread across the Alpine region. The name Krampus translates to 'claw' in German. Krampus is the son of Hel, the Norse god of the underworld, and he carries off naughty children to hell to punish them. The less mischievous ones are left with a birch rod in their shoes as a warning to behave better in the upcoming year.
Krampus was introduced in the 16th and 17th centuries as an evil counterpart to St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas, the special children's saint, is honoured throughout Austria. It is said that God rewarded his generosity by allowing him to return to earth each year to bring gifts to all the good children. St. Nicholas comes on his feast day, a special holiday apart from Christmas, dressed as a bishop with flowing robes and a miter. He carries a big book and a bishop's crozier. During the year, angels, who sometimes come with him, write children's good and bad deeds in this book.
Krampuslauf is the central event of the state of Tyrol, located in the western Austrian Alps. It takes place on the 5th or 6th of December, and people dress up in costumes and parade through the streets. The biggest Krampus parades in the world are in Toblach, Italy, and Bad Goisern, outside Salzburg, with 600 and 800 participants respectively.
Austria's EU4 Strategy: Simple or Complex?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Krampus [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81-OrLoEeOL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Krampusnacht is celebrated on December 5
Krampusnacht, or Krampus Night, is celebrated on December 5, the evening before St. Nicholas Day. It is a popular Christmas tradition in Austria, where people dress up as Krampus, the evil twin of St. Nicholas, to frighten children. The tradition is said to have originated in the Middle Ages, with people participating in a Krampuslauf or Krampus run, chasing children down the street and threatening to beat them for misbehaving.
Krampus is believed to be a half-goat, half-demon monster that punishes naughty children at Christmastime. He is the devilish companion of St. Nicholas, introduced in the 16th and 17th centuries as the saint's evil counterpart. According to legend, Krampus captures misbehaving children, beats them with branches and sticks, and even takes them to hell.
On Krampusnacht, people in Austria dress up as Krampus, donning devil-like horns, fake fangs, red contacts, and furry suits. They participate in parades, known as Krampusläufe, in many of the country's alpine villages. The biggest Krampus parades are found in Toblach in South Tyrol, Italy, and Bad Goisern, outside Salzburg, with hundreds of participants and spectators.
The tradition of Krampusnacht is not limited to Austria, as it is also celebrated in other parts of Europe, including Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, and Hungary. The Krampus Museum in Kitzbühel, Austria, showcases the evolution of Krampus masks over generations, with some dating back to 1903.
While Krampusnacht is a festive event, it is important to note that the character of Krampus has faced criticism and attempts at suppression due to concerns about his violent and frightening nature. Despite this, the popularity of Krampus celebrations has surged in recent times, attracting enthusiasts from around the world.
Slovenian Identity: More Austrian or Slavic?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Krampus: The Naughty Cut (Collector's Edition) [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81SOKKGTxxL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Krampus [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91DLe9kXI6L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Krampus parades are popular in Austria
Krampus parades, also known as Krampus runs or Krampuslaufs, are popular in Austria. They are based on the Krampus, a half-goat, half-demon, or half-wolf monster that punishes misbehaving children at Christmastime. The Krampus is believed to be the son of Hel, the Norse god of the underworld, and is said to carry off naughty children to hell to punish them. The legend of Krampus is believed to have originated in Germany and spread across the Alpine region, including Austria.
Krampus parades are unique folklore events that take place in the alpine areas of Austria, usually in the main square of a village, town, or city. The parades typically involve costumed participants dressed as Krampus, with scary costumes, masks, horns, whips, and torches. Some of the participants perform acrobatics, doing flips and cartwheels. The parades are often led by Saint Nicholas, who is dressed in red like a Roman Catholic bishop with a pointy hat. Saint Nicholas rewards well-behaved children with gifts, while Krampus is responsible for punishing the bad children.
Krampus parades are not just for spectators, as participants can also join in the fun. However, it is important to take precautions when attending a Krampus parade, such as layering up for the winter night, keeping valuables secure, and staying a safe distance from the marchers and their whips. The parades are often accompanied by local delicacies like stollen (Christmas spice cake), vanillekipferl (nut-flour cookies), kiachln (doughnuts), and spatzln (dumplings).
Austria's Right-Wing Government: A Comprehensive Overview
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Krampus - The Naughty Cut Limited Edition Steelbook 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81sA+Ece6oL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Krampus traditions were prohibited in the 1930s
Krampus, derived from the German word 'Krampen', meaning 'claw', is a half-man, half-goat, or half-demon monster that punishes misbehaving children at Christmastime. He is believed to be the son of Hel, the Norse god of the underworld, and is said to roam the streets on Krampus Night or Krampusnacht, the night before the Feast of St. Nicholas, which is celebrated on 6 December. While St. Nicholas rewards good children with presents, Krampus beats naughty children with branches and sticks, or even takes them to hell.
The tradition of Krampus is believed to have originated from pagan winter solstice rituals and was later incorporated into Christian traditions. In the 17th century, Krampus became associated with St. Nicholas as his helper, delivering punishments to naughty children. The pairing of Krampus and St. Nicholas is thought to have originated in Germany, where masked devils have been part of cultural celebrations since at least the 16th century.
Krampus traditions include the Krampuslauf or "Krampus run", where people dress up as Krampus and parade through the streets, often involving alcohol. These celebrations can be traced back to the early 20th century, as depicted on Austrian postcards from 1910. Greeting cards featuring Krampus, known as Krampuskarten, have been exchanged in Europe since the 19th century and often include humorous rhymes and poems. Despite the efforts to prohibit Krampus traditions in the 1930s, they have persisted and evolved, gaining international recognition and popularity.
Schengen Visa: Entry to Austria Explained
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Bad Santa, also known as Krampus, is believed to be the evil twin of St. Nicholas in Austrian folklore. Krampus is a half-goat, half-demon monster that punishes misbehaving children at Christmastime.
Bad Santa appears on the night of December 5th, the day before St. Nicholas Day.
Bad Santa beats naughty children with branches and sticks, and in some cases, he is said to eat them or take them to hell.
