Who in Hell is Krampus?

In the beginning, Krampus was a spirit of nature tied to

astronomical events. Krampus was born in the stars, fallen to

Earth to live among the flora and fauna. Like Santa Claus and

his Reindeer driven sleigh, Krampus pushes the seasons

forward. It was taken into custody by countries such as Croatia,

Czech (Slovakia), Slovenia, Switzerland, and Northern Italy.

Krampus was assimilated and reconstructed into the evolving

oral lore and legends of Germany and Austria. The name

Krampus, is a derivative of the term Krampen, meaning claw.

In the original Austrian custom, people would dress in woolen

masks, with sheep skin and horns from either goat rams, or wild

goats called ibex. A parade of Krampuses would parade

through the towns issuing gifts and whippings with a branch of

the birch tree. The festival was dedicated to warding off evil spirits and blessing the townspeople with

prosperity. By 4th

Century diaspora, Saint Nicholas and Krampus are joined at the hip, reducing his station

to Santa's (SinterKlaas) minions, a lot of helping elves. As these legends evolved further, Krampus became

the antithesis to Good-will and was responsible for punishing misbehaved children, while Santa rewarded

them for good-deeds. The overtly superstitious will correlate Krampus with malevolence and demonic

forces which seek to do people harm. This misunderstanding is tied to its role in matters of Justice. The

tipping scales of good vs. evil.

As such, the traditional imagery of the

Black Woolen un-tamed spirit was

transformed to a hooven and horned beast

in chains carrying bundles or a switch to

infer the defeat of the devil. The spirit of

nature and the power of the phallus

would be enslaved for all time to do the

bidding of Saint Nicholas. Post

Christendom, children were warned to

behave or else Krampus would pay them

a visit. Hordes of Krampuses would not

only issue a beating but stuff them in a

sack, dunk them in the icy river and drag

them off to hell.

Bells were used to purify, ward off

negative energies and in the case of

Krampus to chase off the sting of the

cold. The birth of Krampus runs were

ritual faire to run off Father Winter and a quick return of the Spring season. The chains of Krampus are

replaced with bells in later renderings and the imagery of the beast is softened to maintain the tradition

without offending adherents to the new Religion. Customs involve ringing bells, rattling chains and

playing percussion instruments to uplift the spirit during the long months indoors during the harsh Winters.

The runs remain an integral part of holiday celebrations to this day.

In addition to prosperity, a whip of the Krampus branch was thought to bring luck and abundance, the

symbol of the horseshoe and basket were added and the twigs were tied to a phallus symbol to indicate the

fertility of the coming Spring. For this reason, no matter the effort to replace Krampus’s origins he is

bound to the Wild Hunt, cycles of hibernation and rebirth. The shaggy spirit Krampus cannot be caged

much like the early pagans, refusing to live in the capital cities, preferring the rolling hills and their

barbarian nature.

"Perchten" are wild pagan spirits widespread throughout the Austrian and Bavarian region. The appear

alone or in groups, especially on three specific winter nights, called the "rough nights," i.e. the night before

St. Nicholas (December 6), before the winter solstice (December 22) and before Epiphany (January 6).

They carry bells and other loud instruments to dispel the winter. The traditional Krampus and Perchten

customs have blended into one in many regions.

Hungary the "krampuszok" (the "-ok" at the end is there to make krampusz plural) are St. Nicolas's (or

Mikulás in Hungarian) helpers, much like how the elves are for Santa. In schools (both elementary and high

school) St. Nicolas pays students a visit with two krampuszok with him, handing out candy and presents

to the children during class.

Austria, the Krampus tradition isn't as prevalent as it once was. There is a movement which sought to

suppress the tradition believing it was harmful to children, psychologically. Up to that point, the Krampus

spankings were a matter of prestige vs. abuse. Children would flock to the Krampus to receive their

whippings so they could boast about having been blessed by the Krampus

Even though the Krampus runs are alive and well today, the public whippings are reserved in lieu of the

current social landscape. Costumes and masks are

elaborately handcrafted in preparedness of the festivals.

Celebrated around December 6.

List of traditional celebrations:

Gnigl Krampus Run featuring 600 Krampuses, witches,

St. Nicholas, angels, etc. (Route: Turnerstrasse,

Linzerbundesstrasse, Schillinghofstrasse)

Krampus run by the Oberndorfer Schöffleut Pass in the

Old City (from Toscaninihof to Alter Markt, Mozartplatz,

Getreidegasse)

Krampus run by the Radecker Pass (through

Getreidegasse).

Krampus run by the Grödig Krampuses in the Old City (from Siegmund's Gate through Getreidegasse).

Krampus run by the Barmstoana Perchten and Krampuses (in Linzer Gasse, right banks of the Old City).

Krampus run by the Salzburger Falkenpass (from the Festival Hall - Bürgerspitalplatz - Getreidegasse -

Alter Markt – Sigmund Haffner Gasse – back to the Festival Hall).

Maxglan Krampus run (from Rochushof/Rochusgasse - Franz Huemer Strasse - Bräuhausstrasse to Stiegl's

Brauwelt).

Ode to Krampus

In German:

"Von drauß´, vom Walde komm´ ich her;

Ich muss euch sagen, es weihnachtet sehr.

Allüberall auf den Tannenspitzen

sah ich goldene Lichtlein blitzen. ..."

In English:

"I came here from the forest

I tell you, it is a very holy night!

All over the tips of the firs

I saw bright flashes of golden light ... "

German poet: Theodor Storm

Traditional Krampus names:

Knecht Ruprecht, Klaubauf, Pelzebock, Schmutzli

Krampus resurrected

The peak of the Krampus card craze was from the turn of the century to the beginning of WWI in 1914.

To many, Krampus came to represent the naughty symbolism of the season (greed, gluttony. vanity, lust),

and was represented in a cheeky manner presented in Krampus cards. Krampus came to symbolize the

Satrunalian excess, primordial fear and dark animism.

Monte Beauchamp, the editor of BLAB! magazine became a collector of Krampus and devil-related

postcards. He published his collection nearly a century after their popularity had fizzled, resuscitating the

Krampus devilry. His book, The Devil in Design, is the definitive source used for Krampus imagery.

In America, the image of Father Christmas was spreading like wild-fire and became a more modern St.

Nick, called Santa Claus. The holiday itself, is only nominally Christian, used to represent the birth of

Christ, from the Biblical tales. However the origins of this holiday are wholly pagan, and the pagan

symbolism has been preserved - nearly in total. Santa Claus, was born from old pagan symbolism and

customs, and is still in use today. Instead of Santa having a minion in tow, if the child is on the naughty

list, the child gets coal, while the good children's stockings are filled with holiday goodies. Krampus

always knew who was being naughty or nice, so too would Santa Claus. The 1932 song 'Santa Claus is

Coming to Town' was an immediate hit, "He's making his list, and checking it twice, he's gonna find out

who's naughty or nice" and watch out kids, Santa is coming to town!~ While Santa's legend doesn't warn

children of a beat down, it certainly teaches them they will be depraved of their yearly rewards if they do

not behave.

As time went on, very few parents followed through with their threat: You had better behave or you'll get

coal for Christmas! Capitalism and consumerism drives the modern holiday. The cultural traditions are

often reduced to burning coal for factories vs. sticking it into stockings. The land goes spoiled with

demanding children which grow into demanding adults.

The symbolism of Krampus wasn't completely lost in

America. New York and California are notorious for

throwing Krampusnacht (Krampus Night) parties. Tim

Burton's: The Nightmare Before Christmas seems to be

having a deeper impact than people realize. Bringing

seemingly horrible elements back to the Christmas holiday

season. Paving the way to reintroduce Krampus to

American society, the horror! The Evil Santa Claus image

has become quite popular.

Krampus is irresistible

Even though ancient pagan origins and traditions are attached, many people regardless of religious

denomination are embracing Krampus with open arms. It's just plain, naughty fun! Some, more zealous

believers, however; warn their brethren about the legion of devils tempting them in the darkness with

trickery. Krampus can only be the DEVIL!!!!!!

Video clips on youtube.com

1. Krampus - Clip 1

2. Krampus - Clip 2

3. Krampus - Clip 3

4. Krampus - Clip 4

5. Krampus - Clip 5

.

Old postcards:

It wasn't until Santa became popular in the

1800's that card exchanging really took off. As

the Austrians and Germans were importing

cards they began to see how their beloved

Krampus was being portrayed. As a devil!

Needless to say, they were none-too-happy

about it!

This was countered by more playful images of

Krampus.

Krampuses would go door to door, ringing bells

and spreading good cheer. It became more

associated with public drunkeness, hence the door-

to-door banging came to a halt in later years. By

the time America entered WWI, the Krampus

tradition was losing steam. By 1917 the import of

German greeting cards came to a halt. Parenting

became more modernized around this era, and

giving children Krampus Nightmares fell out of

popularity

Gruß vom Krampus!

Warst nicht brav,

drum hoppla-hopp,

Kommt das Krampus

im Galopp.

Greetings from the Krampus!

If you were not well behaved

by hopping to it,

Krampus will come

a-galloping.

Gruß vom Krampus!

My Krampus doll created by Silent Orchid, artisan Lindsay May.

Krampus party poopers

The original fertility diables were celebrated on

December 28th. With the advent of Christianity,

this date became the feast of the Holy Innocents.

The pagan tradition was moved to December

6th, and Krampus was reduced to a servant of a

Saint. In some earlier Christian customs, when

children were tested during catechism, Saint

Nicholas would reward and Krampus would

punish if they performed poorly. Even this

created more superstition. By the time of Martin

Luther, in 16th century, he forbade any of these

customs (to include those of Saint Nick) in the

Lutheran areas. Instead, holy Christ, would be

bearing gifts and to this day on the eve of

Krampusnacht (December 5th) children are

given gifts in many regions throughout Europe.

Historically, children were tasked with

performing some sort of trick, or show casing a

talent before they received their presents.

Krampus prevails...

leave it to the French

The French combine Saint Nicholas, Krampus,

and their own legend of P'ere Fouettard. P`ere

Fouettard is a butcher with three children. It is

alleged that he murdered them, but Saint Nick

discovered their bodies and resurrected them.

Fouettard was shamed, and in repentance is

forced into a mask, and servitude to Saint

Nicholas. He is tasked with punishing naughty

children by whipping them.

Vive La France!

Krampus LIVES!

With the resurrection of Krampus, more and more people are celebrating

Krampusnacht, and looking for seasonal tradition resources.

Here is a list of sources for information. Enjoy!

Books

Krampus: The Devil of Christmas

Monte Beauchamp

ISBN-10: 0867197471

The Devil in Design: The Krampus Postcards

Monte Beauchamp, ISBN-10: 1560975423

Christmas Curiosities: Odd, Dark, and Forgotten Christmas John Grossman

John Grossman

ISBN-10: 1584796995

Devilish Greetings: Vintage Devil Postcards [Paperback]

Monte Beauchamp

ISBN-10: 1560978716

Websites:

Monstropedia.com

Wikipedia

Rotten.com

Mythical Buddies

Sin Jones, The Poison Apple

December 2008