![]() ![]() France has Hans Trapp and Père Fouettard. Parts of Germany and Austria dread the beastly Krampus, while other Germanic regions have Belsnickle and Knecht Ruprecht, black-bearded men who carry switches to beat children. Many European cultures not only welcomed the kindly man as a figure of generosity and benevolence to reward the good, but they also feared his menacing counterparts who punished the bad. ![]() His saints day falls in early December, which helped strengthen his association with the Yuletide season. ![]() Nicholas is the patron saint of children. He then hauls the bad kids down to the underworld. Nicholas comes with a chain and bells that he lashes about, along with a bundle of birch sticks meant to swat naughty children. Krampus isn't exactly the stuff of dreams: Bearing horns, dark hair, fangs, and a long tongue, the anti-St. When listening to the radio in December, it's unlikely to hear holiday songs singing the praises of Krampus: a half-goat, half-demon, horrific beast who literally beats people into being nice and not naughty. ![]()
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