Weihnachtsmann, Saint Nicholas and Krampus (2024)

FAQs

What does Krampus do to adults? ›

Apparently created to strike terror in the hearts and minds of small children — and quite a few adults, too — Krampus traditionally carries a ruten bundle, or birch rod, to whip those who have misbehaved and chains to bind those who have strayed from the straight and narrow.

Through most of Germany, St. Nicholas is assisted by a character named Knecht Ruprecht, in Switzerland by Schmutzli, in France and Luxembourg by Père Fouettard, in the Netherlands by Zwarte Piet, and in Slovenia by Parkelj. In Southern Germany and Austria, St. Nicholas' counterpart is Krampus.

Krampus, in central European popular legend, a half-goat, half-demon monster that punishes misbehaving children at Christmastime. He is the devilish companion of St. Nicholas. Krampus is believed to have originated in Germany, and his name derives from the German word Krampen, which means “claw.”

On Christmas Eve, Krampus travels with a sack or a basket strapped to his back; this is to cart off evil children for drowning, eating, or transport to Hell.

Children who have been naughty for the year receive more than just a lump of coal for the holiday season from Krampus. He is known to chases bad children around with sticks or chains, hitting them and even kidnapping them as punishment, depicted in this 1910 postcard.

The Krampus is seen on antique Christmas cards whipping children, licking them with a spiked tongue, or leading a chain gang of sorrowful naughty children. It's disturbing, but has evolved from a long tradition of dark fairy tales.

In essence, Krampus is the bad cop to Santa's good cop, Collins said. Krampus would often target children who behaved badly, hitting them with a tree branch known as a "switch," or even kidnapping them in a basket.

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.

They first landed in a small town. Santa delivered his presents while Krampus, surprisingly gentle, left a piece of coal for the naughty children. As the night progressed, Santa and Krampus found a rhythm. They worked together seamlessly, spreading joy and delivering lessons.

Weihnachtsmann is similar to St. Nicholas—an older man with a long white beard and cloak. However, he does not wear a bishop's mitre (hat) or carry a crook, or staff.

What is Krampus's weakness? ›

Weaknesses. Evergreen Stake - Krampus could be killed by being stabbed with a stake made from the branch of an evergreen tree dipped in the blood of the dark side of God himself.

He is usually drawn covered in black or brown hair and has a dominating presence, towering over humans at 8 or 9 feet tall. Krampus also came to represent the oncoming dark nights and the difficulty of surviving the Alps in the frigid winter. The name itself comes from the German word krampen, which means claw.

Krampus was born out of Alpine folklore. He's the badass counterpart of St. Nicholas, sent to punish the naughty children of the world. While Old Saint Nick goes around rewarding the well-behaved kids, Krampus comes in to punish those who've been acting up.

Krampus doesn't rely on the strength of his goat horns or typical scare tactics alone. Nope; this demon is packing. Krampus is known to roam about town armed with chains, whips, and bundles of birch sticks that he uses to beat children with.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas each year, parades are held throughout many of Austria's alpine villages in honor of Krampus, a demonic creature said to be the "evil twin" of St. Nicholas.

The most lenient punishment is usually being whipped by bundles of birch branches. However, for those who have done more reprehensible deeds, Krampus could throw those children in a sack, take them to Hell, torture, and finally devour them.

4. Krampus revelers will hit, push, and whip spectators at their parades. The Krampus of legend whips people with his birch bundle, but he's a literal demon.

He and his helpers dragged everyone except her to Hell, leaving behind a bell-shaped bauble with his name on it.

It involves people dressing up as devils and chasing others through the streets. They wear giant horns, carved wooden masks and fur costumes. They also carry cowbells and sticks, which they use to poke the people they are chasing.