While Western children usually get their gifts on December 25th no matter how good or bad
they’ve been that year, their European counterparts don’t have it that easy.
Traditionally, on December 6th, St. Nicholas visits families and rewards kids who have
been good.
However, if you’ve been bad, St. Nick won’t visit, instead it will be Krampus.
A Half-Goat Half-Demon who will gift you with coal, or, depending on how he’s feeling,
might even take you down to Hell.
So, what else do we know about this Christmas Demon?
Well, today on Top 5 Scary Videos, I’m going to be counting down our list of the Top 5
Scary Krampus Facts That Will Haunt You.
Before we begin though, be sure to stick around until the end of the video where I’ll be
responding to some of your comments.
And with that, let’s jump in.
5 His Appearance Krampus appears in many variations throughout
history, however, most share some common physical characteristics.
He is typically hairy, brown or black, and has the cloven hooves and horns of a goat.
His long pointed tongue lolls out, and he also has fangs.
Krampus almost always carries chains with him, thought to symbolize the binding of the
Devil by the Christian Church.
He trashes the chains for dramatic effect, which are sometimes accompanied with bells
of various sizes.
Of more Pagan origins, he carries bundles of birch branches, called the Ruten, which
he occasionally swats children with.
In some representations, the birch branches are replaced with a whip, with Krampus sometimes
appearing with a sack or a basket strapped to his back; this is to cart off evil children
for drowning, eating, or transport to Hell.
4 Friends With Santa Yes, this is actually true.
Well as true as Krampus can be.
Originally, Krampus was a purely Pagan creation, said to be the son of Hel from Norse mythology.
But he got grafted onto Christian tradition as a sidekick of St. Nicholas, similar to
figures like Zwarte Piet in the Netherlands and Knecht Ruprecht in Germany.
Since the 17th Century, Krampus and Santa have been linked, with Krampus often being
St. Nick’s dark companion, with the two costumed figures traditionally visiting houses
and businesses together on Krampusnacht.
3 December 5th Belongs To Krampus December 5th is known as Krampusnacht, when
Krampus reigns.
The Feats of St. Nicholas is celebrated in parts of Europe on December 6th.
On the preceding evening of December 5th, Krampus Night, the wicked hairy devil appears
on the streets to play.
Sometimes accompanied by St. Nicholas and sometimes on his own, Krampus will visit homes
and businesses.
The Saint usually appears in the Eastern Rite Vestments of a Bishop, and he carries a golden
ceremonial staff.
Unlike North American versions of Santa, in these celebrations St. Nick concerns himself
only with the good children, while Krampus is responsible for the bad.
St. Nick dispenses gifts, while Krampus supplies coal and the Ruten bundles.
However, sometimes Krampus might just hit children with sticks, or even toss them into
a sack or basket on his back and then throw it in the stream, or he might even take them
to Hell.
In the real world, people will attend Krampus Balls, or young men from the local Krampusgruppe
might don carved wooden masks, cowbells, chains, and costumes to run through town in the Krampus
Run, often frightening and even beating bystanders.
2 Hit, Push, and Whip In folklore, Krampus is known to whip people
with his birch bundle, but as previously stated, he is also a literal demon.
As literal as he can be.
Now, according to a tourist, here’s a description of the Salzburg Krampuslauf who expected costumed
fun but instead came home with welts: “The narrow streets in the Old City section of
Salzburg were packed with pedestrians as the Krampusse stomped through.
Many people were caught unaware and reacted with terror.
Some would flee and try to seek refuge in a shop or restaurant, only to be pursued by
a determined Krampus.
With so many easy targets, we again managed to escape largely unharmed.
At times we were chased, jostled and struck, but compared with the brutality we witnessed,
it was obvious we had been spared the full brunt of what Krampus could muster.”
The writer went to three cities to attend Krampuslaufs and described “savage beatings”
to people’s thighs and shins, as well as a Krampus chasing down and sitting on a teenager.
Crazy, right?
Would you dare attend Krampuslaufs?
1 Christmas Demon Hailing from Central European Folklore, Krampus
is a figured described as being a half-demon who, during the Christmas season, punishes
children who have misbehaved.
In turn directly contrasting with Saint Nicholas, who rewards the well-behaved with gifts.
Now, the history of Krampus has been theorized as stretching back to pre-Chirstian Alpine
traditions.
In a brief article discussing the figure, published in 1958, I quote: “There seems
to be little doubt as to his true identity for, in no other form is the full regalia
of the Horned God of the Witches so well preserved.
The birch -- apart from its phallic significance -- may have a connection with the initiation
rites of certain witch-covens; rites which entailed binding and scourging as a form of
mock-death.
The chains could have been introduced in a Christian attempt to ‘bind the Devil’
but again, they could be a remnant of pagan initiation rites.”
You may often see Krampus posed harmlessly on a greeting card or reproduced in chocolates
or figurines.
But, the Krampus we are all familiar with is the one stalking through the town, laden
with bells and chains, intimidating onlookers, or whipping them with bundles of sticks.
Krampus has persisted throughout history, and by the 17th century, Krampus had been
incorporated into Christian winter celebrations by pairing Krampus with St. Nicholas.
Let’s take a look at Modern History though.
In the aftermath of the 1932 election in Austria, the Krampus tradition was prohibited by the
Dollfuss regime under the Fatherland’s Front, and the Christian Social Party.
In the 1950’s, the government distributed pamphlets titled “Krampus Is an Evil Man”.
However, towards the end of the century, a popular resurgence of Krampus celebrations
occurred and continues on today.
Well, there we have it!
Do you guys agree with our list?
Were there any Krampus facts that we missed?
Leave us all your thoughts and feelings in the comments down below and perhaps we can
do a part 2.
Before I go though, I just want to respond to a few comments from one of our last videos
Top 5 Scary Horror Movies That Are Illegal - Part 3.
Wanton 110 said: “The fact that there are morality laws is more terrifying than any
movie.”
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Jeanna Beckman said: “I love how I feel like I am getting a history lesson when Lucy
hosts.
Not mad at all because my favorite subject in middle/high school was history.”
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Exploded Almond said: “Hat, no hat, puffball hat, the Dark Queen has many forms.”
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W1se F0x said: “You can outlaw a movie but you can’t outlaw Lucy.
All fear her power.”
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Cherry Blossom said: “Lucy, I love your dry humor and delivery.”
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And on that note, if you haven’t already, be sure to give this video a big thumbs up,
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And until next time, see ya later.