Krampus in German Folklore – What is Krampus?

I grew up the child of Northern German parents, so I didn’t learn about Krampus until I was much older. In my world, Knecht Ruprecht was St Nicholas’s sidekick, and Krampus lived in Bavaria and Austria. But now, because of movies and popular culture… as well as annual Krampus Runs… the myth of Krampus is becoming synonymous with German Christmas. But What is Krampus? Where did he come from? and What is the role of Krampus in German Folklore? krampus in german folklore Krampus in German Folklore So, what is the role of Krampus in German Folklore? Historians believe that the Krampus myth comes from German Paganism, back in the time before the Middle Ages when the country converted to Christianity. Until then, Germans were Poly-theistic… meaning they worshiped many gods… including many of the Norse Gods like Woden (Odin in Norway) and Krampus, thought to be the son of the Norse god, Hel. Krampus’s name comes from the German word Krampen, meaning Claw. And he is described as being half goat and half demon, with dark fur, large horns and sharp teeth, as well as claws for hands. Pagan and Christian Symbolism surround this beast. Krampus carries chains, to suggest he is bound to the Devil, and a bundle of Birch switches, which may have connection to Pagan scourging rites, to punish children. In some stories he carries a sack, and is said to carry “bad children” away. The bag is most likely left over from legends of invaders stealing children away during the Dark Ages. Altogether, he is a massively frightening being. Is Krampus the DEVIL? In the 12th Century, the Catholic Church attempted to do away with the Krampus Myth because of his resemblance to the devil. The best they could do was suppress the celebrations a bit. The Krampus Legend persisted, it seems that Krampus in German folklore is just too powerful a legend to do away with. Again in the 1930s, the conservative Austrian government tried to stamp out Krampus… but it didn’t take. Krampus as St Nicholas’s Companion what is krampusThink of Krampus as a character who balances the sweetness and light of St Nicholas. (Sort of an extension of the Dualism we see in Jesus and the Devil…. ). They aren’t considered equal, but one tempers the other. Make sense? (Besides, it seems quite normal to me, as a kid who grew up in a German household, to think that with every wonderful thing, there is the possibility of something really bad happening because of wrong behavior). St Nicholas visits homes during the night on December 5th, and leaves treats and small gifts for children who leave their shoes out for him. The tradition of gift-giving goes back to the late Middle Ages when nuns would honor St Nicholas by leaving baskets of food and clothing for the needy. Other sources say that Sailors visiting Church Festivals on December 6 to celebrate the feast day of St. Nicholas, their patron saint, would pick up small gifts from Nicholas fair vendors to bring home as gifts… including small toys and treats for children. St Nicholas Day The celebration of the Feast Day of St Nicholas dates back to the 11th century in Germany. What makes this Winter celebration special, is that it’s the only festival that is dedicated to Children. It’s a bright spot in a long cold German winter. Animal masked Devils have been a part of German folktales since before the 16th century, wrecking havoc and causing mischief, and the by the 17th century, the St Nicholas legend slowly assimilated the Krampus story until they were a pair. krampus in german folklore. Although the tradition of St Nicholas traveling with a companion became standard, different parts of Germany took different views. In the North, St Nicholas traveled with Knecht Ruprect and visited homes of good children and brought treats, sometimes Krampus would go along and deliver the switch to naughty children… and in some cases, even took them away in his bag! In the Bavarian/Austrian Alpine region, Krampus also traveled alone, visiting children on his own. His presence was much better known in the south. Dec. 5th is known as Krampus night… the night when Krampus is free to roam. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Betty MacDonald fan club fans, we hope you'll enjoy this wonderful Christmas concert from Heidelberg with unique Julia Migenes as much as many Betty MacDonald fan club fans around the world. Please don't miss it. I bet Mark Twain would love very witty and wise Satire ist mein Lieblingstier ( Satire is my favourite animal ) by Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel. It's acoording to many delighted readers around the world one of the funniest books ever written. It's a perfect Xmas gift and by the way don't miss Betty MacDonald fan club contest, please. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Betty MacDonald fan club fans, Don't miss our wonderful Betty MacDonald fan club Xmas surprise, please. Send us your favourite text from very witty book Satire ist mein Lieblingstier ( Satire is my favourite animal ) by Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel, please and you have the chance to win a signed first edition of Betty MacDonald's Nancy and Plum. We have a wonderful Xmas surprise for everybody who joins Betty MacDonald fan club Xmas contest. Deadline: December 23, 2020 Everybody is a winner because we have a great Betty MacDonald fan club Xmas surprise for you. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Betty MacDonald fan club fans, a new fascinating Betty MacDonald biography by Wolfgang Hampel, bestselling author of ' Satire ist mein Lieblingstier ' ( Satire is my favourite animal ) will be published in 2021. Wolfgang Hampel was a very good friend of author Monica Sone, described by Betty MacDonald as Kimi in The Plague and I. Monica Sone shared the most interesting info on her wonderful friend Betty MacDonald. Wolfgang Hampel and Betty MacDonald fan club are working on this golden treasure for many Betty MacDonald fans around the world. 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This very witty book is according to many readers from all over the world one of the funniest books ever written. https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Wolfgang-Hampel/dp/3958281559 Satire ist mein Lieblingstier ( Satire is my favourite animal ) by Wolfgang Hampel is like golden sunshine in very grey November. Please don't miss very witty Satire ist mein Lieblingstier ( Satire is my favourite animal ). It's one of the funniest books ever written according to many readers around the world. It brings lots of fun and joy to many readers around the world. Many of them including me take this best medicine for bad mood every day. Betty MacDonald fan club - and Vita Magica founder, Wolfgang Hampel from Heidelberg, author of very witty Satire ist mein Lieblingstier ( Satire is my favourite animal ) is working on a new Betty MacDonald biography. 'Satire ist mein Lieblingstier ' by Wolfgang Hampel is very successful in USA, UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and many other countries!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can read Satire ist mein Lieblingstier ( Satire is my favourite animal ) by Wolfgang Hampel over and over again and it won't be boring. Don't miss it, please. Wolfgang Hampel, author of very witty Satire ist mein Lieblingstier ( Satire is my favourite animal ) and Vita Magica Team support culturual institutions with special events and book sales of Satire ist mein Lieblingstier. This very witty book is according to many readers from all over the world one of the funniest books ever written. https://www.amazon.com/Satire-ist-mein-Lieblingstier-Satirische/dp/3958281559 Take care, Greta