Krampus
When searching through old Victorian Christmas cards I came across this horrid figure known as Krampus. Why you would want to send a season’s greeting card with this demon on it is beyond me.....
I did some research and this is what I found. His name originates with the German krampen, which means "claw," and tradition has it that he is the son of the Norse god of the underworld.
In Central European folklore Krampus is a horned, figure described as "half-goat, half-demon" who, during the Christmas season, punishes children who have misbehaved. This contrasts with Saint Nicholas who rewards the well-behaved with gifts and is the patron saint of children.
Krampus was created as a counterpart to kindly St. Nicholas, who rewarded children with sweets. Krampus, in contrast, would swat "wicked" children, stuff them in a sack, and take them away to his lair.
The origin of the figure is unclear; some folklorists and anthropologists have postulated it as having pre-Christian origins.
In traditional parades and in such events as the Krampuslauf (Krampus run), young men dressed as Krampus participate; such events occur annually in most Alpine towns, and in regions including Austria, Bavaria, Croatia, Hungary, Northern Italy including South Tyrol and the Province of Trento, and Slovenia. Krampus is featured on holiday greeting cards called Krampuskarten.
Pretty freaky if you ask me!
