Season 1: Episode 5, Santa Claus Counterparts

Today we are discussing the origins of Santa Claus and his dark counterparts from Germanic, Welsh, and Icelandic traditions. Before we get into our dark figures, we first must discuss who Saint Nicolas is.

Who is Saint Nicholas?

St. Nicholas of Myra is the patron saint of sailors, children, and prostitutes. His holy day is December 6.

Legend states he saved a group of girls from being sold into sex slavery by dropping gold pieces down the chimney, which landed in their stockings that were drying over the fire.

Germanic Tradition: Krampus

"Krampus, in central European popular legend, a half-goat, half-demon monster that punishes misbehaving children at Christmastime. He is the devilish companion of St. Nicholas. Krampus is believed to have originated in Germany, and his name derives from the German word Krampen, which means 'claw'" (Tikkanen, 2020).

He is a goat like humanoid with one cloven hoof and one chained hoof. He carries a wicker basket and birch switches. The most prominent feature on Krampus is his long tongue used to lick the evil off of children.

Krampusnacht falls the eve before St. Nicholas Day on December 5. On this night, Krampus comes to the homes of bad children. If the children were only slightly naughty he would whip them with Birch sticks. But if those children were extremely naughty, Krampus puts the child into his basket and takes them to make toys.

When Jack was young he had a frightening experience on Krampusnacht that he believes was the work of Krampus sent to terrify him. To hear Jack's horrifying tale please listen to our Halloween Special.

Germanic Tradition: Frau Perchta

Frau Perchta does not have a set night she can appear as Krampus does. Instead she is a winter long threat. Possibly originating from the Norse Goddess, Freya, Frau Perchta is a spinstress who admires clean houses and hard work. She also expects hospitality in the form of a bowl of porridge left out for her.

Frau Perchta has the stereotypical witchy figure with the addition of an iron nose. If an adult or child is lazy with their cleaning or work, she comes into the house and trashes the home. If a home was found to be inhospitable and did not leave porridge for her, Frau Perchta will enter the home and disembowel and eat the offenders.

Welsh Tradition: Mari Lwyd

We are taking a break from the dark and morbid traditions for a little macabre holiday cheer. Beginning in approximately in the 1800s, Mari Lwyd is a skeletal horse that would visit the homes of families and have a musical battle with the owners of the home. The owners and horse would go back and forth is a battle of wit and singing. If the owners lose the battle, they have to allow the horse in to eat their food and drink their alcohol.

This tradition can be traced back to medieval times when poor individuals would go to the homes of the rich to demand food and drink during the coldest times. If the rich refused, the poor would trash the house. It is believed that the tradition of Mari Lwyd began as a way to bring back this tradition as a form of festive trick or treating mixed with a rap battle.

Icelandic Tradition: Grýla

Grýla is a mountain witch that comes down from the mountains during Yuletide to gather up all the naughty children to cook into a stew. She has the appearance of a stereotypical hag. Grýla has 13 sons called the Yule Lads who have their own shenanigans they get into during the holiday season, but we are saving their story for another time.

Icelandic Tradition: Jólakötturinn

Jólakötturinn, or the Yule Cat, is a gigantic cat owned by Grýla. The Cat demands for you to have at least one item of new clothing on you. If you are not wearing the new clothes you were given for Yule, the Cat with rip you to shreds and eat your remains.

I hope you enjoyed this quick look into some European myths and Legends that act as a counterpart to Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus.

References

Sources were from Jack's childhood except for our Krampus quote.

Tikkanen, A. (2020, September 8). Krampus. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Krampus