2024-12-05

Krampusnacht 2024

    Krampus
Nothing like a nice soothing monster to temper the holiday season. This brings us to the mighty devil Krampus, a monster which is half-man and half-goat who captures naughty children on the night prior to the feast of Saint Nicholas whereby he chastises them roundly and swats them with bundles of 'ruten' (twigs) by which they are to remember him.

Krampusnacht is celebrated on December 5 and represents that notion that that which is given may be taken away due to our own short comings.

Saint Nicholas bestows gifts which Krampus may take away from those who are deservedly naughty.

While the origins of the Krampus are unclear, I would guess they are pagan in their roots with the general appearance of devils and such.

I for one could never forget an entity depicted as being hairy with large horns cloven hooves, red eyes, and fangs. I suppose some of us are less influenced by what we see in these days of incorrigible youth who grow to be societal rejects.

Now I have personally been entralled by more involved encounters with Krampus whereby the naughty children are taken away for physical punishment and from what I have seen it is quite effective with the younger incorrigables among us.

I suppose it is a viable alternative to ending up with a child which the world could have done without who has no redeeming value for society whatsoever. This may be why the observance grows increasingly popular both abroad and here in the United States.

So feel free to get out there and drink and be merry. Your children may suffer but you likely will only get hung over.

See Also:

Krampusnacht 2019