Krampus

Krampus riding with a boy on a horse, with his birch, a fruit basket and his chains.

Krampus is a mythical creature. In various regions of the world – especially Austria and Hungary – it is believed that Krampus accompanies St. Nicholas during the Christmas season, warning and punishing bad children, in contrast to St. Nicholas, who gives gifts to good children.

The Hungarian spelling of his name is Krampusz. In Slovenia, he is known as Parkelj.

Appearance

Krampus is usually represented by a dark, furry, incubus-like creature (resembling a demon or devil), with horns, pointy ears, a tail, satyr/goat-like legs with hoofs (or one leg with a foot and one leg with a hoof), and a very long red tongue. His other typical attributes are a chain he is wearing on his wrists, a pannier or bucket, and a birch. The birch is used to punish and/or to threaten naughty children. The pannier is for taking naughty girls and boys away. See the main article Christmas and spanking.

Gallery

Krampus with his birch, pannier and two children.
Krampus with his birch and a kneeling girl.
Girl with birch rod and Krampus doll.
Krampus with a woman (c. 1900).
Krampus is given a humorous femdom twist (c. 1900).
Krampus taking away naughty boys and girls in his bucket.
Krampus pulling a boy's ears.
Krampus pulling a girl's hair.
Krampus spanking a boy.
The same artwork, in black and white.
Krampus punishing naughty kids.
Unusual illustration of Krampus whipping a pin-up style woman with snakes (c. 1930s-40s).
Salalo's tribute to Rare Exports for Christmas 2013.