These Details About Krampus, the Christmas Demon, would Make all Children Fear the Holidays

29. He Beat People Into Being Nice

Saint Nicholas, better known as Santa Claus, gave gifts to children who behaved themselves throughout the year. Rather than providing the positive incentive of Santa Claus, Krampus threatened to beat people into good behavior. Thus, you could say that he served a useful purpose, maybe.

28. He Carried Bad Children to the Underworld

Naughty children, in particular, dreaded the arrival of Krampus and his sack full of birch sticks that he used to beat them. That’s right, while Santa Claus carried a bag full of toys to give to the good children, Krampus carried a sack in which he would stuff naughty children so that he could take them straight to hell.

27. Krampus Night is December 5

December 6 is the Feast of St. Nicholas. Conveniently falling shortly before Christmas, it strengthened the connection between Santa Claus and Christmas. Krampus night was the night before; people believed that both Krampus and Santa Claus would show up at the same time to deliver judgment.

26. Krampus Brought Coal

When Krampus and Santa Claus appeared, Santa Claus brought gifts for the good children. The origin of idea that naughty children get coal for Christmas comes straight from the Krampus folklore: it’s what he brought for those who didn’t deserve the kind gifts delivered by Saint Nicholas.

25. His Origins Pre-Date Christianity

Though often associated with the Christian (or pagan, whichever way you look at it) holiday of Christmas, Krampus has its origin in pre-Christian paganism. Some historians and folklorists see him as near-perfect preservation of the pagan horned god of the witches (later interpreted as Beelzebub or Satan).

24. He Comes From Germany and Austria

The Alpine regions of Nordic Europe gave rise to the legends of Krampus, mainly from their pagan roots but also mixed in with some Christian elements, such as association with Saint Nicholas and Christmas. He was said to be the son of Hel, the Norse god of the underworld.

23. He Carries Chains

The ghosts that Ebenezer Scrooge saw in A Christmas Carol weren’t the first creatures associated with Christmas to carry chains. Krampus carried chains that he thrashed around for a dramatic effect. Sometimes, they had bells on them, which made them even more terrifying. Jingle all the way.

22. People Left Brandy for Krampus

Nothing says Christmas like the milk and cookies that people leave out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve night. After all, Saint Nicholas was known for bringing sweets to good children. Krampus, on the other hand, preferred schnapps, a type of fruit brandy common in Germany.

21. He Has Pagan and Christian Features

Krampus probably pre-dates the advent of Christianity in Europe, but Christians may have added elements like his chain; the chain may have been symbolic of binding the devil. He came to appear frequently in Catholic morality plays that encouraged children to do well in school and obey their parents.

20. Some People Still Celebrate Him at Christmas

Instead of using Santa Claus as the primary symbol of Christmas, some people, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Eastern European countries like Slovenia and the Czech Republic, are celebrating with Krampus instead. Christmas cards that feature the demonic feature are known as Krampuskarten.

19. Drunk Men Dress Up Like Him

In many Alpine towns, a yearly Krampuslauf, or Krampus run, occurs when young men get drunk and dress up like Krampus. They then chase people through the streets, a festive take on the Medieval monster metaphorically chasing people into good behavior or running the risk of hell.

18. Austria Tried to Ban Krampus

After Austria’s 1923 election, the new Dollfuss government regime prohibited any Christmas traditions that recognized Krampus. After World War II, the government sent out pamphlets entitled, “Krampus is an Evil Man” to try to discourage people from participating in any festivities (read: debauchery) commemorating him.

17. Krampus Traditions Are Being Revived

Despite governmental efforts to suppress any Krampus celebrations or festivities, people in Eastern European countries are reviving the Krampus traditions. In Bavaria, local artists now carve wooden masks by hand as part of the yearly celebrations. The widespread growth of Krampus shows no signs of abating, and he is entering other countries, as well.

16. Krampus’s Depiction Has Changed

Older depictions of Krampus, particularly from the Middle Ages, depict him as being a demonic creature with cloven feet and a tongue that lolls out of his mouth. Even when he began to be revived at the end of the twentieth century, depictions of him were quite grotesque. Modern Krampuskarten, however, tends to portray him with a more Cupid-like appearance.

15. Italian Celebrations Encourage Piety

In Italy’s Cave del Predil, on December 5 (Krampus Night), a Krampus figure emerges from an old cave just before sunset. He chases young boys (and girls, and sometimes also adults) and swats them on the legs. Those whom he is pursuing to recite a prayer in order to abate his anger.

14. Croatia’s Krampus Steals Gifts

Krampus festivities take place in Croatia, as well. He wears chains all over his body and a sack around his waist. If a child who receives a gift from Saint Nicholas misbehaves, Krampus can steal the present, taking it for himself. He will also take the golden branch left by Saint Nicholas and leave only a silver branch in its place.

13. Krampus is Akin to Belsnickel

You may have never heard of Belsnickel, the German servant of Saint Nicholas who has a long tongue, wears a mask, dirty clothes, and has an overall disheveled appearance. Belsnickel beats naughty children with a switch, but he hands out sweets that he carries in his pockets for good children.

12. He May Also Be Connected to Hans Trapp

By Hans Trapp, we do not mean the Von Trapp family singers but the demonic figure from the Alsace-Lorraine region of France. Hans Trapp is the evil counterpart of Saint Nicholas; he carries around sticks to beat naughty children who don’t deserve presents. When parents tell their children, “Hans Trapp is coming,” everyone trembles.

11. There’s Also Père Fouettard

Père Fouettard, also known as Father Whipper or Old Man Whipper, travels around with Saint Nicholas in France, Belgium, and Switzerland on December 6, the Feast of Saint Nicholas. Whereas Saint Nicholas gives presents, Père Fouettard dishes out beatings and lumps of coal for naughty children.

10. But He Probably Isn’t Connected to Zwarte Piet

Zwarte Piet, or Black Peter, is also commemorated around December 5 or December 6 in the Netherlands, Belgium, and some other European countries. Black Peter appeared in an 1850 children’s book as one of Saint Nicholas’s companions, though he was probably considered a slave.

9. Krampus Celebrations Allow People To Embrace Their Animalistic Side

No longer merely the counterpart to Saint Nicholas, Krampus is now viewed as a worthy character in his own right. People who dress up as Krampus and engage in raucous behavior can assume a dual personality and embrace an antisocial side of themselves.

8. Revived Pagan Traditions Are Feeding His Popularity

Along with the decline of Christianity in Europe has come a revived interest in pagan traditions. Many people are choosing to embrace the religion that their ancestors held before Christianity was forced on them. With the demon’s pagan roots, Krampus traditions are benefiting from this resurgence.

7. World War II Fascists Hated Krampus

They believed that he was the creation of social democrats, people who thought that government intervention should promote social welfare through means such as universal healthcare and education. He was banned in places like Italy and Spain, homes of Fascist regimes, during World War II.

6. Krampus Is Gaining Popularity in North America

Major cities in the United States, like Washington DC and New Orleans, are holding their own Krampus Runs for people who have newly discovered the European monster. Christmas-themed horror movies that feature Krampus have also become increasingly popular over the past few years.

5. He’s Lost His Evil Touch

The modern resurgence of Krampus has led to him being depicted with softened horns if he has them at all. Many of his most horrifying features, such as his lolling tongue and the chain of jingle bells that he thrashes about, are played down. Rather than beating children into being nice, he is much more child-friendly.

4. Some Complain That He Has Become Commercialized

Krampus chocolates and figurines have become popular, something that the cultures that gave rise to the beast would probably have scorned. People can even buy Krampus collectible horns. He is now much sweeter, more docile, and approachable, characteristics that defy his Medieval manifestations.

3. Commercialization of Krampus Isn’t New

In 1890, the Austrian government relinquished its control over the nation’s production of postcards. Private producers began putting images of Krampus on postcards; the notes became famous throughout Europe. During World War II, German postcards would say, “Gruss vom Krampus,” German for, “Greetings from Krampus.”

2. Krampus Defined the Evolution of Christmas

Before the 1800s, Christmas was not the quiet family holiday that people may recognize today. It was a loud, boisterous affair that was more akin to Mardi Gras or Halloween in New York City or New Orleans. As Krampus began to fade from the popular imagination, Christmas celebrations toned down to families singing around trees.

1. Krampus May Have Already Peaked

Many people have turned to Krampus festivities as an alternative to traditional Christmases. With all of the attention around Krampus today, he is becoming less of an option and more of a mainstream character. As such, those continually looking to the past for something new may soon find themselves looking for another alternative to Jolly Ole Saint Nick.

Where Did We Find This Stuff? Here Are Our Sources:

“Krampus.” Wikipedia.

“Who is Krampus? Explaining the horrific Christmas beast,” by Tanya Basu. National Geographic. December 5, 2018.

“Belsnickel.” Wikipedia.

“Père Fouettard.” Wikipedia.

“Hans Trapp.” Scary for Kids. January 8, 2013.

“Zwarte Piet.” Wikipedia.

“How Krampus, the Christmas Devil, Became Cool,” by Becky Little. National Geographic. December 1, 2017.