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 Krampuss 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 Mikuls 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 Schffleut Pass in the Old City (from Toscaninihof to Alter Markt, Mozartplatz, Getreidegasse) Krampus run by the Radecker Pass (through Getreidegasse). Krampus run by the Grdig 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 - Brgerspitalplatz - Getreidegasse Alter Markt Sigmund Haffner Gasse back to the Festival Hall). Maxglan Krampus run (from Rochushof/Rochusgasse - Franz Huemer Strasse - Bruhausstrasse to Stiegl's Brauwelt).

Ode to Krampus
In German: "Von drau, vom Walde komm ich her; Ich muss euch sagen, es weihnachtet sehr. Allberall 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. 2. 3. 4. 5. Krampus - Clip 1 Krampus - Clip 2 Krampus - Clip 3 Krampus - Clip 4 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 doorto-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

Gru 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.

Gru 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