Krampus is a mythical creature recognized in
Alpine countries. According to legend, Krampus
accompanies St. Nicholas during the Christmas
season, warning and punishing bad children, in
contrast to St. Nicholas, who gives gifts to good
children. Traditionally young men dress up as the
Krampus in Austria, South Tyrol and southern
Bavaria during the first week of December,
particularly on the evening of 5 December, and
roam the streets frightening children with rusty
chains and bells
Krampus and St. Nicholas
link
link
The name Krampus derives from the Old High
German word for 'claw'. This towering, seven foot tall,
hairy creature is depicted as having bulging eyes, a
whip-like tongue, pointed ears and horns atop his head.
He carries a pitchfork or, more traditionally, a bundle of
birch switches, to menace children. Wayward children
caught by Krampus are spanked, whipped and even
shackled to be spirited away in either a basket or barrel
to Krampus' lair. Once there they receive further
punishment until they are repentant
link
Fröhliche Weihnachten! Happy Christmas Eve
'Fliegende Blätter' cover by H. Stockmann, 1927
link
A Pied Piper-inspired picture postcard of Krampus
link
link
link
link
Nikolas and Krampus in Austria.
Newspaper-illustration from 1896
linkNewspaper-illustration from 1896
No comments:
Post a Comment