s/o Black Piet: Can we talk about Krampus again?

[summer]

They come in about 1:10






news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/12/131217-krampus-christmas-santa-devil/

Bad Santa, meet Krampus: a half-goat, half-demon, horrific beast who literally beats people into being nice and not naughty.

Krampus isn't exactly the stuff of dreams: Bearing horns, dark hair, and fangs, the anti-St. Nicholas comes with a chain and bells that he lashes about, along with a bundle of birch sticks meant to swat naughty children. He then hauls the bad kids down to the underworld.





We wondered: What are the origins of this "Christmas Devil"?





Krampus, whose name is derived from the German word krampen, meaning claw, is said to be the son of Hel in Norse mythology. The legendary beast also shares characteristics with other scary, demonic creatures in Greek mythology, including satyrs and fauns.





The legend is part of a centuries-old Christmas tradition in Germany, where Christmas celebrations begin in early December.





Krampus was created as a counterpart to kindly St. Nicholas, who rewarded children with sweets. Krampus, in contrast, would swat "wicked" children and take them away to his lair.





According to folklore, Krampus purportedly shows up in towns the night before December 6, known as Krampusnacht, or Krampus Night. December 6 also happens to be Nikolaustag, or St. Nicholas Day, when German children look outside their door to see if the shoe or boot they'd left out the night before contains either presents (a reward for good behavior) or a rod (bad behavior).





A more modern take on the tradition in Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic involves drunken men dressed as devils, who take over the streets for a Krampuslauf—a Krampus Run of sorts, when people are chased through the streets by the "devils."





Why scare children with a demonic, pagan monster? Maybe it's a way for humans to get in touch with their animalistic side.





Such impulses may be about assuming "a dual personality," according to António Carneiro, who spoke to National Geographic magazine earlier this year about revitalized pagan traditions. The person dressed as the beast "becomes mysterious," he said.





Lump of Coal Preferred?





Krampus's frightening presence was suppressed for many years—the Catholic Church forbade the raucous celebrations, and fascists in World War II Europe found Krampus despicable because it was considered a creation of the Social Democrats.





But Krampus is making a comeback now, thanks partly to a "bah, humbug" attitude in pop culture, with people searching for ways to celebrate the yuletide season in non-traditional ways. National Geographic has even published a book in German about the devilish Christmas beast.





In the U.S., people are buying into the trend with Krampus parties. Monday night's episode of American Dad, called "Minstrel Krampus," highlighted the growing movement of anti-Christmas celebrations.





For its part, Austria is attempting to commercialize the harsh persona of Krampus by selling chocolates, figurines, and collectible horns. So there are already complaints that Krampus is becoming too commercialized.





Looks like Santa might have some competition.

[LoveTrains]

Can I just say that the Krampus episode of "Grimm" is perhaps one of my favorites?

And the Krampus will say "You've been naughty" to people. I like to say that to my H when he does something annoying. With a krampus voice and everything.

[ttt]

Germans are so effing weird.

[kapoentje]

Europeans are so weird.

[pixy0stix]

I want to adopt the Krampus tradition.

[msmerymac]

My husband is marginally obsessed with Krampus. I think it goes along with his enjoyment of other weird, fantasy and paranormal type stuff.

[summer]

Dec 17, 2014 12:57:32 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I want to adopt the Krampus tradition.

I swear anytime I see anything Krampus-related I think, "Pixy would be into this."

[Deleted]

I bought this from a vendor at Denver Comic Con a couple years ago.  I love it.

I learned about the Krampus in German class in HS.  I also love the Ventrue Bros Christmas episode:

[iammalcolmx]

Dec 17, 2014 12:57:32 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I want to adopt the Krampus tradition.

I will call INS and have you deported!!! You don't need to do ANYTHING else that scares me.

Now I am LOLing at those people who threw their kids are you in the haunted house. That never.gets.old

[meshaliuknits]

Dec 17, 2014 13:11:31 GMT -5 @slayerkate said:

I bought this from a vendor at Denver Comic Con a couple years ago.  I love it.

I learned about the Krampus in German class in HS.  I also love the Ventrue Bros Christmas episode:

That is the cutest little demon!

I heart the Venture Brothers. That episode was fantastic.

[ttt]

Dec 17, 2014 12:54:26 GMT -5 kapoentje said:

Europeans are so weird.

Ha jinx! 

[meshaliuknits]

I got krampus cards last year. I was gonna send one to sushi but H gave them all to his crew at work.

[epphd]

So were those kids even scared? they look marginally bemused but that's it. Couldn't really tell about the little one when the Krampuses entered.

[Deleted]

Dec 17, 2014 12:53:49 GMT -5 ttt said:

Germans are so effing weird.

Attachment Deleted

[sydney02]

My mom is from Germany and I swear I never heard of anything Krampus coming from her or my grandparents in my life. So I asked her recently and she said she never heard of Krampus. Didn't know Belsnickle (the other Christmas demon) either so I'm thinking it's not a tradition all over Germany. Or my mom's family just didn't do Krampus like some don't do Santa. She came to America when she was 6 so I would think she would have heard of it.

[meshaliuknits]

Dec 17, 2014 23:25:36 GMT -5 sydney02 said:

My mom is from Germany and I swear I never heard of anything Krampus coming from her or my grandparents in my life. So I asked her recently and she said she never heard of Krampus. Didn't know Belsnickle (the other Christmas demon) either so I'm thinking it's not a tradition all over Germany. Or my mom's family just didn't do Krampus like some don't do Santa. She came to America when she was 6 so I would think she would have heard of it.

One Christmas demon was insufficient?

Sent from my EVO

[summer]

Dec 17, 2014 23:25:36 GMT -5 sydney02 said:

My mom is from Germany and I swear I never heard of anything Krampus coming from her or my grandparents in my life. So I asked her recently and she said she never heard of Krampus. Didn't know Belsnickle (the other Christmas demon) either so I'm thinking it's not a tradition all over Germany. Or my mom's family just didn't do Krampus like some don't do Santa. She came to America when she was 6 so I would think she would have heard of it.

My feeling is that it's more In Austria and Bavaria. It's definitely not everywhere.

[sydney02]

Dec 18, 2014 0:30:11 GMT -5 meshaliuknits said:

Dec 17, 2014 23:25:36 GMT -5 sydney02 said:

My mom is from Germany and I swear I never heard of anything Krampus coming from her or my grandparents in my life. So I asked her recently and she said she never heard of Krampus. Didn't know Belsnickle (the other Christmas demon) either so I'm thinking it's not a tradition all over Germany. Or my mom's family just didn't do Krampus like some don't do Santa. She came to America when she was 6 so I would think she would have heard of it.

One Christmas demon was insufficient?

Sent from my EVO

LOL Apparently Belsnickle and Krampus where in different parts of Germany. They were regional demons if you will. 

Summer I think you're right because my mom swore she never even heard of those things let alone was taught about them. 
I guess they're kind of like Germany/Austria's version of Elf on a Shelf only like, terrifying. 

[meshaliuknits]

Dec 18, 2014 1:24:30 GMT -5 sydney02 said:

Dec 18, 2014 0:30:11 GMT -5 meshaliuknits said:

One Christmas demon was insufficient?

Sent from my EVO

LOL Apparently Belsnickle and Krampus where in different parts of Germany. They were regional demons if you will. 

Those Germans. Even efficient in their tormenting.

Sent from my EVO