Krampus: Saint Nicholas' Dark Companion

[SonOfTheGods]

more photos at link~

 

While Saint Nicholas may bring gifts to good boys and girls, ancient folklore in Europe's Alpine region also tells of Krampus, a frightening beast-like creature who emerges during the Yule season, looking for naughty children to punish in horrible ways -- or possibly to drag back to his lair in a sack. In keeping with pre-Germanic Pagan traditions, men dressed as these demons have been frightening children on Krampusnacht for centuries, chasing them and hitting them with sticks, on an (often alcohol-fueled) run through the dark streets. [20 photos]

 

A participant dressed as Krampus walks the streets in search of delinquent children during Krampusnacht on November 30, 2013 in Neustift im Stubaital, Austria. Sixteen Krampus groups including over 200 Krampuses participated in the first annual Neustift event. Krampus, in Tyrol also called Tuifl, is a demon-like creature represented by a fearsome, hand-carved wooden mask with animal horns, a suit made from sheep or goat skin and large cow bells attached to the waist that the wearer rings by running or shaking his hips up and down. Krampus has been a part of Central European, alpine folklore going back at least a millennium, and since the 17th-century Krampus traditionally accompanies St. Nicholas and angels on the evening of December 5 to visit households to reward children that have been good while reprimanding those who have not. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

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A member of the Haiminger Krampusgruppe dressed as the Krampus creature carries a delinquent little boy whom the Krampus will now take to Hell to transform him into the demon-like Krampus on the town square during their annual Krampusnacht in Tyrol, on December 1, 2013 in Haiming, Austria. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images) #

3

Woodcarver Markus Spiegel carves a traditional Perchten mask out of stone pine wood in Pfaffenhofen, some 35 km (22 miles) west of Innsbruck, November 20, 2012. Each year in November and January people in the western Austria regions dress-up in Perchten (also known in some regions as Krampus or Tuifl) costumes and parade through the streets to perform a 1,500 year-old pagan ritual to disperse the ghosts of winter. Each handmade traditional costume, consisting of up to 14 separate sheep or goat skins, takes three dress makers one day to produce, and costs between 500 - 600 euros. Some 15 hours are needed for a woodcarver to sculpt each demon mask which is made from stone pine wood with goat horns attached. The mask costs an additional 600 euros. (Reuters/Dominic Ebenbichler) #

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Participants who arrived by bus gather before dressing as Krampus, prior to Krampusnacht on November 30, 2013 in Neustift im Stubaital, Austria. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images) #

 

Edited December 13, 2013 by SonOfTheGods

[yabyum24]

Yes, it's a fascinating tradition.

[SonOfTheGods]

5

Members of the Haiminger Krampusgruppe parade on the town square during their annual Krampusnacht in Tyrol, on December 1, 2013. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images) #

6

A man dressed as Krampus, the companion of St. Nicholas and one of Austria's unique Advent traditions, makes his way during a traditional Krampus procession in Unken, Austrian province of Salzburg, on December 5, 2010. (AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson) #

[SonOfTheGods]

9

A member of the Haiminger Krampusgruppe dressed as Krampus hits a fire to release sparks on the town square during their annual Krampusnacht in Tyrol, on December 1, 2013. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images) #

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Men dressed as Krampus, during a traditional Krampus procession in the city of Munich, Germany, on December 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) #

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A man dressed in traditional Perchten (also known in some regions as Krampus or Tuifl) costume and mask performs during a Perchten festival in the western Austrian village of Heitwerwang, some 90 km (56 miles) west of Innsbruck, on November 23, 2012. (Reuters/Dominic Ebenbichler) #

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A man dressed as Krampus, during a traditional Krampus procession in St. Martin near Lofer in Salzburg province, Austria, on December 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson) #

 

 

[BaguaKicksAss]

http://www.buzzfeed.com/briangalindo/21-vintage-postcards-of-krampus-that-will-haunt-your-dreams

[Nungali]

And all I got threatened with was 'if you're bad santa will leave a sack of potatoes instead of presents'

[Taomeow]

Have you ever thought of the words of this popular Christmas song separately from its deceptively cheerful tune? It sounds like an intimidating threat of totalitarian surveillance, of the kind that might originate with the DHS (Department of Human Sacrifice?..) -- menacing and scary, not cheerful at all:

 

 

You better watch out, You better not cry, Better not pout, I'm telling you why: Santa Claus is coming to town. He's making a list, And checking it twice; Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice.Santa Claus is coming to town. He sees you when you're sleeping, He knows when you're awake, He knows if you've been bad or good, So be good for goodness sake! O! You better watch out!..  etc.

[thelerner]

Optional lyric added. See bottom

 

You better watch out, You better not cry, Better not pout, I'm telling you why: Santa Claus is coming to town. He's making a list, And checking it twice; Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice.Santa Claus is coming to town. He sees you when you're sleeping, He knows when you're awake, He knows if you've been bad or good, So he's been hired by the NSA.  O! You better watch out!..  etc.

Edited December 14, 2013 by thelerner

[yabyum24]

Santa is the last vestige of a forgotten folk memory of Wotan, who was said to visit Middle Earth in disguise during the season of Yule.

 

Midwinter solstice - a vital time to the pagan North European tribes, got whitewashed by Christmas.

[SonOfTheGods]

 

Have you ever thought of the words of this popular Christmas song separately from its deceptively cheerful tune? It sounds like an intimidating threat of totalitarian surveillance, of the kind that might originate with the DHS (Department of Human Sacrifice?..) -- menacing and scary, not cheerful at all:

 

 

You better watch out, You better not cry, Better not pout, I'm telling you why: Santa Claus is coming to town. He's making a list, And checking it twice; Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice.Santa Claus is coming to town. He sees you when you're sleeping, He knows when you're awake, He knows if you've been bad or good, So be good for goodness sake! O! You better watch out!..  etc.

 

sounds like hellfire and damnation from church service

[BaguaKicksAss]

Do good deeds, or the NSA will get you... .

[Aetherous]

Krampusnacht would probably be my favorite holiday if celebrated here.

Each year for the past few years I've watched, "Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale". It'll be a family tradition.

[SonOfTheGods]

http://www.krampus.com/