Who Is Krampus

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Krampus is an ancient figure in European folklore who punishes misbehaving children during the Christmas season. The creature is said to have hooves, horns, and a furry body, and is most often associated with Austria and Germany, though traditions of Krampus exist in many other parts of Europe and beyond.

The holiday figure is generally seen as a foil to jolly Saint Nicholas (aka Santa Claus or Father Christmas), who hands out rewards for good behaviour. Children who have been naughty this year, on the other hand, receive a visit from Krampus who carries a bundle of birch sticks—used to spank them—and sometimes even takes them away to the underworld in a sack.

Krampus is also sometimes portrayed as having a long tongue and chain or bells, which he uses to scare children into behaving. It should be noted that his punishments were not meant to be malicious but rather to show children the consequences of bad behaviour.

The origin of Krampus is unclear, though he is believed to have come from pagan times and is traditionally celebrated in the December holiday season before Christmas. He might have evolved from the Beast of Gevaudan, a mythical creature in France reported in the 1700s; or from the Greek spirit “Kallikantzaroi”, which is said to emerge in mid-December and go into hiding until the Epiphany.

Krampus has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years and his traditions have been recreated in festivals and rituals around the world. He is also an established figure in popular culture, having made appearances in films, TV shows, and comic books.

Although the legend of Krampus has been around for centuries, he remains an enigmatic figure and a source of both fascination and dread.