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In Austria, Santa Claus is known as St. Nicholas, the Austrian equivalent of Father Christmas. St. Nicholas is accompanied by Krampus, a beast-like creature who punishes naughty children. In predominantly Catholic Austria, the Christkind (Christ Child) is also believed to bring gifts to children at Christmas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is Santa called in Austria | Christkind (Christ Child) |
| What does Christkind mean | An angelic figure with white feathery wings and a halo |
| Who brings the gifts | Christkind |
| Who is Krampus | Krampus is a beast-like helper who accompanies Saint Nicholas and punishes naughty children |
| Who is Saint Nicholas | Saint Nicholas is the Austrian equivalent of Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas |
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What You'll Learn
Santa Claus vs Christkind
In Austria, Santa Claus is known as St. Nicholas, Father Christmas, or Christkind. While St. Nicholas is a well-known figure in Western culture, the Christkind is unique to Austrian Christmas traditions.
The Christkind, or Christ Child, is a unique feature of Austrian Christmas. The Christkind is an angelic figure with feathery white wings and a halo, often depicted as a young child dressed in white or gold. The Christkind is said to deliver presents to children in Austria and is featured in the names of some Christmas markets, like the famous Christkindlmarkt in front of Vienna's city hall.
On the other hand, Santa Claus, or St. Nicholas, is a beloved figure in Western culture, known for bringing gifts to well-behaved children on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. In Austria, St. Nicholas is dressed as a bishop with flowing robes and a miter, and he carries a big book to record children's good and bad deeds. He is often accompanied by angel helpers or Krampus, a beast-like figure that punishes naughty children.
The battle between Santa Claus and the Christkind for the hearts and minds of Austrian children is an interesting cultural phenomenon. While Santa Claus is a widely recognized figure, the Christkind offers a unique and traditional alternative, deeply rooted in Austrian culture and Catholicism.
The Christkindlmarkt, or Vienna Christkind, is a strong proponent of the traditional Christkind, with the concept still going strong in recent years. While some may argue that parents bring the presents, the cultural battle between Santa Claus and the Christkind adds a unique touch to Austrian Christmas celebrations, showcasing the country's rich history and cultural heritage.
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Krampus, St. Nicholas' beast-like helper
Krampus is a beast-like helper to St. Nicholas, originating in Central and Eastern Alpine folkloric tradition. Krampus is believed to have first been a part of pagan rituals for the winter solstice, derived from the German word 'Krampen', meaning claw. He is said to be the son of Hel, the Norse god of the underworld.
In the 17th century, Krampus was paired with St. Nicholas as his helper. Because St. Nicholas is a saint, it was not deemed saintly behaviour for him to deliver punishments. Therefore, a helper was assigned to him, such as Farmhand Rupert, Schmutzli, Père Fouettard, or Zwarte Piet, who would go down the chimney and punish the naughty children. Krampus served St. Nicholas in this same role.
Krampus is usually featured as a man with horns, one grotesque human foot, and one foot of a goat. He is typically covered in black hair and has a very long snake or dragon-like tongue. He is a devilish figure, wearing a cloth sack around his waist and chains around his neck, wrists, and ankles. In some parts of Austria, Krampus has other beastly companions, such as the antlered "wild man" figures, and St. Nicholas is not present.
Krampus parades have become especially popular on the evening of December 5th, the night before St. Nicholas Day. People dress up as Krampus and roam the town, making a lot of noise and scaring spectators. In some cases, they chase spectators and beat them with sticks. In the aftermath of the 1932 election in Austria, the Krampus tradition was prohibited by the Dollfuss regime under the clerical fascist Fatherland Front and the Christian Social Party. Towards the end of the century, a popular resurgence of Krampus celebrations occurred and continues today.
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Krampus traditions in the 1930s and beyond
Krampus, a half-goat and half-demon monster, is believed to have originated in Germany and is part of the Central and Eastern Alpine folkloric tradition. He is the devilish companion of St. Nicholas, who punishes misbehaving children at Christmastime. The name "Krampus" is derived from the German word "Krampen", meaning "claw". This is apt, given Krampus' depiction as a beastly creature with long, taloned fingers, always ready to snatch away mischievous children.
In the aftermath of the 1932 Austrian election, the Krampus tradition was prohibited by the Dollfuss regime under the clerical fascist Fatherland Front and the Christian Social Party. In the 1950s, the Austrian government distributed pamphlets titled "Krampus Is an Evil Man" out of concern that encounters with Krampus might harm children's mental health.
Despite these bans, the tradition persisted, and in some regions, it thrived. In the late 20th century, Krampus celebrations experienced a resurgence, with Krampus runs becoming increasingly popular in Austria and Germany as part of efforts to preserve cultural heritage. The Krampuslauf ("Krampus run") is a tradition where people dress up as Krampus, parade through the streets, and sometimes chase and scare spectators.
In recent decades, the tale of Krampus has transcended its Alpine roots and gained international popularity due to media representation in movies, TV shows, and literature. For example, the 2015 film "Krampus" portrayed the creature in a modern light, sparking interest among new audiences. Krampus' growing appeal can also be attributed to cultural exchanges as people travelled from the Alpine regions, sharing the story with new cultures. Additionally, Krampus offers a counter-narrative to the conventional holiday narrative, providing an edgy and dark allure in an age where traditional holiday celebrations are often seen as overly commercialised.
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St. Nicholas, the children's saint
St. Nicholas, the special children's saint, is honoured throughout Austria. St. Nicholas is said to have been so generous that God rewarded him by allowing him to return to Earth each year to bring gifts to all the good children.
St. Nicholas visits households on his feast day, a holiday separate from Christmas, on December 6. In some places, he visits on St. Nicholas Eve, December 5. He is dressed as a bishop with flowing robes and a miter. He carries a big book, in which angels, who sometimes accompany him, write down children's good and bad deeds. When children promise to be good and study hard, St. Nicholas rewards them with treats like nuts, mandarins, or chocolate.
St. Nicholas may be accompanied by angel helpers and/or a Krampus. Krampus is a beast-like creature that serves as St. Nicholas' helper, as it would not be deemed saintly for St. Nicholas to deliver punishments himself. Krampus carries a wooden stick to threaten children who misbehave or do not know their lessons. Krampus parades have become popular on the evening of December 5, where people dress up as Krampus and roam the town, making noise and scaring spectators.
In predominantly Catholic Austria, the Christkind (Christ Child) is also believed to bring gifts at Christmas. The Christkind is often depicted as a child with blonde hair, wings, and a halo.
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Christkindlmarkt, the traditionalist market
The Christkindlmarkt is known for its traditionalism, with the first "Wiener Christkind" (Vienna Christ Child) elected in 2004, a concept that remains popular today. The market is filled with festive lights, decorations, and traditional handicrafts. Visitors can indulge in various food and drink specialties, including mulled wine, gingerbread, and sugar-roasted almonds.
The Christkindlmarkt is not the only Christmas market in Austria; there are temporary markets all over the country during the Christmas season. These markets are a beloved part of the holiday season, offering a range of local crafts, decorations, and delicious treats. Families often visit the markets before Christmas Eve, when Austrians gather around the illuminated Christmas tree to sing carols and open presents delivered by the Christkind.
While the Christkind is the traditional gift-giver in Austria, there is a growing "battle" between the Christkind and Santa Claus for the hearts and minds of Austrian children. Santa Claus, or St. Nicholas, is also a significant figure in Austrian Christmas traditions, rewarding well-behaved children with treats on December 6th. St. Nicholas is often accompanied by Krampus, a beast-like figure who punishes naughty children. Krampus is a popular figure in Austrian folklore and is known for his scary devil mask, horns, and chains.
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Frequently asked questions
Santa Claus is known as the Christkind, or Christ Child, in Austria.
The Christkind is often depicted as a child with blonde hair, wings, and a halo.
St. Nicholas, or Father Christmas, is also celebrated in Austria. He is accompanied by Krampus, a beast-like creature that punishes naughty children.
