It's hard for the kids on New Year's Eve in Europe and America. They know that in addition to the kind Santa Claus, the demonic creature Krampus, whose body is covered with thick hair, paws with claws and huge horns, can also come to the house. He has hooves on his feet, and his appearance is accompanied by the clink of chains. Krampus is the opposite of Santa. If the latter brings gifts and rewards, then Krampus punishes.
Outwardly, Krampus looks like a huge goat standing on its hind legs. Krampus has a long face, a snake tail and a forked tongue. He comes to children who behaved especially badly, punishes them, and may even take them with him for the whole next year. At the same time, he acts at the behest of Santa, who chooses the most naughty children from the list he has. With Krampus, parents often scare naughty gullible kids who do not want to obey.
Legendary origins
Krampus is believed to be descended from pagan beliefs that existed in the modern Scandinavian countries and Germany. According to one version, Krampus in Norse mythology was the son of Heli, the daughter of Loki, the goddess of the dead. One of its functions was to provide a balance between good and evil. His name comes from the word krampen, which means "claw" in German. The resemblance to the satyr and faun from ancient Greek mythology forced Krampus to be portrayed in the same way as these creatures on postcards.
Celebrating Krampus Night
Krampus Night is the night on the eve of St. Nicholas Day, which is the prototype of Santa. Krampus is celebrated in Europe with a special procession with loud songs, which is organized by young people and which often ends in fights. To distinguish those participating in the procession from ordinary hooligans, the former are asked to wear armbands. On the procession, it is customary to dress up in costumes of all kinds of monsters, the image of which is often very far from the goat appearance of Krampus.
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Other Santa's helpers
Krampus is only one of Santa's "dark" companions and helpers. In different countries, Santa is assisted in frightening naughty children by various creatures. Children were bullied, as a rule, in the same way: Santa's helper could come, punish or kidnap them. Often such assistants had a broom or a stick, they always dressed in black and were portrayed with tousled hair.
In Germany, Knecht Ruprecht acted as such an assistant. Depicted as an old man with a long beard, he carried ashes in his sack, and on his clothes there were many small bells. Knecht Ruprecht required the children to read the catechism and prayers. If they did this, he could give them sweets. If they could not fulfill his request, did not study well, then instead of Christmas gifts they received a piece of coal or a stick. Ruprecht could drag off especially disobedient Knecht and throw them into the river. His name was also one of the names of the devil in Germany.
GUSAKOVA IRINA YURIEVNA