Krampus and Nikolaus

One of the origins for the modern Father Christmas was St. Nikolaus and Krampus, a figure depicted as very demonic and with a sinister intention. Normally depicted as a green figure, Krampus was the naughty pole of St. Nikolaus. He would carry a bundle of sticks to punish the naughty (normally on the rear end). For the really naughty, he bundled them in a sack and took them to his lair. Or directly to the Norsk goddess Hel, his mother, in the underworld. Traces of him can be found in German, Austrian, Greek, Norsk, Dutch and French mythology.

Traditionally, Krampus the beast would prowl on the night of the 5th of December, and St. Nikolaus would follow on the 6th. Krampus was suppressed by the church until recently when he was adopted by a famous drinks manufacturer. He has now become common place in the modern home with some even hosting Krampusnachts (Krampus parties). The Krampuslauf, or Krampus, run where a where the Christmas devil takes to the street are still held in many country’s most notably in Munich, Germany.