Krampus

Krampus

The Krampus comes out of Austria and Hungary, he is said to accompany Santa on Christmas Eve, warning and punishing the bad children of the world - a direct contrast to Santa, who gives presents.

The word Krampus comes from a German word for "Claws". He is usually represented as an Incubus type demon with large horns and a large tongue

He is often depicted with a basket on his back which he uses to carry the unruly young children off to hell!

Researched and written by Allen Tiller

First published 2012 ©

Pere Fouettard – Father Whipper

Pere Fouettard – Father Whipper

Pere Fouettard is a French Anti-Santa that arrives on St Nicholas Day to punish naughty children by whipping them. Le Père Fouettard is depicted in red and black clothing, perhaps a throwback to his anti-Roman roots.

The whipping Father has his roots in the 16th-century medieval siege in the city of Metz, a war between the Holy Roman Empire and Henry II of France. The war lasted for 8 years, and during holiday seasons, effigies of the Roman Emperor were made and dragged through the street. Local tanners would whip the effigy as it passed, thus creating Father Whipper in the imaginations of generations to come.