Krampus is becoming increasingly well-known in the mainstream, thanks to Hollywood. Sadly, this frightening and fascinating folkloric faun is mostly depicted as a murderous creature, the villain to Santa’s hero, the devil, evil incarnate, blah blah blah. I see Krampus in a much more nuanced light, and today, on Krampusnacht, I’m here to prove that Krampus is a figure worth celebrating, even if you’re not a Gothic, horror-loving Merry Creepmas kinda person like me. 🎄🖤
He sees you when you’re sleeping… | Created by Jaye with Midjourney AI
Winter: Beautiful and Terrifying
If you’ve never lived in a colder climate that experiences “real” winters, you would likely only feel the magic of the season, not the monsters.
Take a winter vacation sometime in the Great Lakes region, Norway, or Iceland. You will be in awe of the beauty and a little on edge. It feels dark more often than not; you can’t seem to escape the cold some days, no matter how cozy your sweater, socks, or blankets are, and after about a month of beautiful, sparkly snowfall, you’re already wondering how long you will be watching that stuff fall from the sky, and looking forward to when you don’t have to ice scrape your car or worry that trudging out to the mailbox doesn’t end in a black-iced disaster.
Now, take all those “little” worries and imagine winter in an era when you had little to no conveniences or sources of entertainment—certainly not as much as we have every second of our modern-day lives. Terrifying. Winter can be bleak AF; nobody understood this better than northern and Eastern Europeans. Therefore, some of the most frightening creatures you’ll ever encounter in fairytales and folklore appear in winter. If you think Halloween is a fright-fest, familiarize yourself with Yuletide folklore and witness how winter may be even more monstrous than Halloween.
But with the darkness comes the light. And this is why I love these folkloric “monsters” so dearly.
THEY’RE making a list… | Created by Jaye with Midjourney AI
Krampus & Saint Nicholas: Opposites or Business Partners?
Saint Nicholas, often associated with Christmas, is celebrated for his generosity, compassion, and kindness. Originating from Christian traditions, Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of children and is renowned for his acts of charity. The benevolent bishop symbolizes hope, spreading joy and warmth during the cold winter. His iconic red and white attire, resembling the modern image of Santa Claus, adds a festive touch to the season.
In stark contrast to Jolly Ol’ St. Nick, Krampus emerges as a creature of folklore deeply rooted in European traditions. Depicted as a demonic figure with horns, hooves, and a long tongue, Krampus is the companion of Saint Nicholas in some cultures. While Saint Nicholas rewards well-behaved children, Krampus punishes the naughty ones. This dark counterpart serves as a reminder of the consequences of misbehavior, embracing the shadows that linger amidst the festive lights. You know how we sing it in the song, “He’s gonna find out who’s naughty or nice.” No, they’re gonna find out. St. Nick and Krampus are in league with each other, and if you think Saint Nicholas didn’t have a hand in getting the kiddos on the naughty list, you would be (butt)-sorely mistaken (that’s a Krampus spanking reference). 😉
Magic will find you on the coldest nights… | Created by Jaye with Midjourney AI
We Need Light and Darkness to Survive
The juxtaposition of Krampus and Saint Nicholas reflects the yin and yang of winter—the interplay between light and darkness. This cultural tradition entertains and teaches valuable lessons about morality and personal responsibility. The coexistence of these figures emphasizes the importance of balance, acknowledging that light and darkness are intrinsic parts of life. Without seasons of darkness, the light would burn everything up.
Furthermore, just like winter, with its long nights and short days, Krampus and Saint Nicholas embody the cyclical nature of the seasons, reminding us of the ebb and flow of life’s challenges and joys. The contrast between the two figures illustrates the dynamic and transformative aspects of the winter season: as soon as we face our darkest night, the light slowly returns, and hope springs eternal.
Hope: A Reason for the Season | Created by Jaye with Midjourney AI
Being Human is Hard, Especially During the Holidays
While Krampus and Saint Nicholas may have distinctly different origins and characteristics, their coexistence in various cultures highlights the richness and nuance of being human.
Embracing the diversity of winter celebrations fosters a sense of unity as people from different backgrounds come together to acknowledge the complexity of the season. It irks me that Krampus was all but removed from Christmas here in the United States, especially if you’ve ever celebrated the season as a Christian, as I once did. It’s almost like Christmas has become a season of toxic positivity. We are all suffering and going through stuff, and that doesn’t stop just because we’re throwing fairie lights on everything. Celebrating Krampus feels akin to embracing the shadows of winter, the season’s difficulties, sitting with the aspects of the holidays that aren’t so fun, and having an ally who understands. I don’t relate to Santa Claus one bit! Krampus is my kind of people.
This one was on the “nice” list! | Created by Jaye in Midjourney AI
Keep Krampus in Christmas!
I think it’s time to tip the balance back where it belongs: Christmas as a celebration of light and darkness. We need more Krampus; I’ve had enough of Santa and Saint Nicholas (sorry, bros)!
Without Krampus, we lose the nuance of the season’s dual nature in the tapestry of winter traditions. By recognizing the light and the darkness that winter brings, we gain a deeper appreciation for the symbolic journey of life’s challenges and triumphs. So, as the winter winds howl like a ghost and the snow falls like fairy dust, let us embrace the coexistence of Krampus and Saint Nicholas, finding wisdom in their contrasting tales and celebrating what’s “naughty” and what’s “nice.”
Have you ever heard of Krampus before? If yes, do you think he gets a bad rap? What are your favorite holiday traditions? Comment below, and if you’d like to see how much I adore Krampus, stay tuned because I will soon post a YouTube video celebrating my favorite Yuletide “monster” with art, beautiful wintry scenes, and holiday music that’s a little bit merry, a little bit magical, a little bit monstrous, and not at all “Mariah.” 😉✨🎄🖤💫 Update: here’s the video! I hope you enjoy it!
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