Saturday 19 December 2015

Christmas Cheer vs Christmas Fear

Everything has a shadow..there's no light without shade..... why even Jolly Father Christmas has an evil twin....yes you read that right....

Please allow me to introduce you to Krampus. Never heard of this particular figure?.....me neither,well not until last year at least when I first encountered him in a folklore book.

Originating in Alpine folklore, Krampus night is celebrated on 5th December which is, of course, the day before St Nicholas. Believed by some to have his roots in a pre Christian tradition he fell from grace after the Austrian Civil War in 1934, but has seen a resurgence of interest in recent years.

Depicted as a dark hirsute man with horns and cloven feet he punishes the naughty children with a bundle of birch twits. That basket and chains he carries...why that's to ensnare and cart your misbehaving little horrors off to hell....does this description remind you of anyone...is it a coincidence that once you rearrange the letters of Santa it gives you Satan? Methinks not! Anyhow here's the chap himself in all his glory.


Arilx


1 comment:

  1. I might threaten Louis with a visit from him next time he misbehaves. Ear pulling might do the trick! x

    ReplyDelete

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