Christmas's Scary Legend

Hey Legend Trippers, with a certain holiday on the way, I wanted to talk about a legend involving the big guy in the red suit. Did you know that in some Scandinavian countries to include Germany, there is a legend of an evil creature that accompanies Santa Claus? It’s true; this evil creature’s name is Krampus.  He is the dark companion of St. Nicholas; the kindly old Saint leaves the task of punishing bad children to a hell-bound counterpart known by many names across the continent.  Also known as the Christmas devil, legend has it that Krampus punishes the naughty children, swatting them with switches and rusty chains before dragging them in baskets to a fiery place below. Krampus oddly enough looks like a Bigfoot with devil horns. So in other words if you are good Santa brings you presents and if you bad Krampus comes and gives you a whipping and then takes you to hell. I guess that’s one way of getting kids to do as they are told. 

“Where did Krampus come from?” you ask. Well according to Krampus.com this creature got it origins from the European practice of mummery during the winter solstice season can be traced back tens of thousands of years. Villagers across the continent dress up as animals, wild-men and mythic figures to parade and perform humorous plays. This ancient guising and masking tradition continues to this day as the primary source for our modern Halloween with its costumes, trick-or-treat, and pagan symbolism. Among the most common figures in these folk rituals were Old Man Winter and the horned Goat-Man — archetypes now found in the forms of Saint Nick/Santa Claus, and the Devil (‘Old Nick’), aka Krampus

Now when it came to the Americanization of Santa, in 19th century New York City an American St. Nick became Santa Claus. Although based on the Dutch Saint Nicholas, Santa incorporated more elements from pagan winter solstice customs. He relinquished his white bishop garb for a red suit, traded his horse and staff for a sleigh and reindeer, and moved his franchise to Christmas Eve. Santa also tried to take over the dark companion’s job of punishing the naughty, but his New World temperament was apparently unsuited for the task. As Santa neglected and abandoned his punishing duties, American kids lost all fear of Santa and his lumps of coal. Thankfully, in the 21st century, Krampus has arrived in this land of spoiled and dissatisfied children to pick up the slack.

Krampus even has his own holiday called Krampusnacht, which takes place on the eve of St. Nicholas’ Day. In Austria, Northern Italy and other parts of Europe, party-goers masquerade as devils, wild-men, and witches to participate in Krampuslauf (Krampus Run). Intoxicated and bearing torches, costumed devils caper and carouse through the streets terrifying child and adult alike. Krampusnacht is increasingly being celebrated in other parts of Europe such as Finland and France, as well as in many American cities. 

If I had known about Krampus as a child, I don’t think I would have gotten into so much trouble. Of course the thought of a huge terrifying devil-like Bigfoot walking around Christmas night would not have left me with a comforting at night. It is bad enough you have the bogey man to worry about and now Krampus. Wouldn't it have been weird to visit Santa in a department store and him tell you that you’d better be good or he’s going to send Krampus to beat the crap out of you. I would have forgotten to tell him what I wanted for Christmas. Also I'd probably would have also started confessing every bad thing I'd ever done to my parents. Also what if Krampus appeared on one of those Christmas specials, that come on each year, and chase little kids around trying to take them to hell. 

Well if you are looking at a way to make children be good then tell them that not only will they not get any presents, but they will also get a visit from a terrifying monster that will give them a spanking and take them to Hell. 
http://www.krampus.com/