Krampus: The Fiery Demon of Christmas

With goat horns, cloven hooves and a long red tongue, Krampus more strongly resembles Halloween than Christmas, which is no surprise given its Pagan origins. For many northern European countries, the night before the Feast of St. Nicholas is Krampusnacht, dedicated to the fearsome demon who punishes naughty children during the Christmas season.

While the exact details are unknown, it is believed the Catholic Church turned Krampus into a devil figure during Europe’s adoption of Christianity. Some of its pagan roots are still visible, most notably the ruten, or bundle of birch twigs used to whip misbehaving kids. Some depict him with a sack or washtub on his back, used to kidnap children and carry them to Hell.

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The holiday was originally suppressed, especially in Austria, but Krampus made a comeback in the past few decades, with large celebrations taking place in Bavaria, Tyrol, Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary. The festivities are quite elaborate, essentially becoming a costume contest for people trying to be the most frightening Krampus. There is even a demonic, alcohol-fueled version of the traditional Santa run called Krampuslauf, with spectators offering the participants Krampus schnapps.

Given Krampus’s frightening appearance, many have been reconsidering the holiday’s appropriateness for children. Some regional festivals are tamer in nature, while others have taken the demonic appeal to a whole new level, complete with black metal and pagan iconography. Krampusnacht is even making headway in America as well, though there is some backlash for it being perceived as part of the “war on Christmas.”

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