What is the difference between Krampus and Knecht Ruprecht?
(In Austria and Bavaria he is known as Krampus.) Also called rauer Percht and many other names, Knecht Ruprecht is the anti-Santa escort, who punishes bad children. Nowadays he is often a more kind, less menancing character, but in parts of Austria and Bavaria, Krampus remains a rather nasty figure.
Where is Knecht Ruprecht from?
Germany
The legend is part of a centuries-old Christmas tradition in Germany, where Christmas celebrations start early in December. Knecht Ruprecht is the dark companion of St. Nicholas, who rewards good children each year with gifts and candy on December 6, St. Nicholas Day.
What does Knecht Ruprecht carry?
Knecht Ruprecht carried a bag of ashes and a bag of fruit, nuts, and gingerbread. Ruprecht would ask the children if they could pray, and if they could, he would give them fruit, nuts, and pieces of gingerbread. If they couldn’t pray, he would hit them on the head with a bag of ashes.
Who is st Nicholas’s helper?
Ruprecht * or Knecht Ruprecht is St. Nicholas’ most familiar attendant in Germany. He is a servant and helper whose face is sooty from going down chimneys leaving children’s treats.
Where is Knecht Ruprecht in Germany?
The name Knecht Ruprecht literally means Farmhand Rupert or Servant Rupert, and the name Ruprecht was also a common name given to the devil in Germany. In die Pfalz (the Palatinate), a region in south-west Germany, this character is called Belsnickel (or Pelsnickel).
Are Santa and Krampus brothers?
The play centers around Santa, who lives at the North Pole and delivers toys to good little boys and girls. His brother, Krampus, lives at the South Pole and delivers coal to the naughty little girls and boys.
What does Knecht mean?
servant
German and Swiss German: occupational name for a journeyman, from Middle High German kneht, Middle Low German knecht ‘knight’s assistant’, ‘lad’, ‘servant’, ‘hired hand’, ‘apprentice’, ‘helper’.
Where is Schmutzli from?
According to Lussi, Schmutzli is a figure that derives from the Perchtenlaufen – festivals of driving out demons that are held in Germany and alpine countries. He gives the example of an illustration from 1486 that depicts a demon who abducts children. “This child-stealing motif returns again in Schmutzli,” he said.
Who is Santa’s nemesis?
Krampus
Krampus is basically the anti-St. Nicholas, the opposite of Santa Claus. He’s a fugly mythical creature usually depicted with similar features as the devil. He has body hair, horns, hooves, and fangs.
What is Krampus called in Germany?
Schmutzli: The Swiss German name for Krampus or Knecht Ruprecht.
Who is Knecht Ruprecht in Germany?
Knecht Ruprecht is Saint Nicholas’ most familiar attendant in Germany. In the Mittelmark, Knecht Ruprecht is known as Hans Ruprecht, Rumpknecht, but is also referred to as De hêle Christ (“The Holy Christ”), while in Mecklenburg he was called Rû Clås (Rough Nicholas).
What is Knecht Ruprecht?
Ruprecht was a common name for the Devil in Germany, and Grimm states that “Robin Goodfellow is the same home-sprite whom we in Germany call Knecht Ruprecht and exhibit to children at Christmas…”. Knecht Ruprecht first appears in written sources in the 17th century, as a figure in a Nuremberg Christmas procession.
What is the story of Ruprecht?
Knecht Ruprecht (German pronunciation: [ˌknɛçtˈʁuː.pʁɛçt] (listen); English: Farmhand Rupert or Servant Rupert) is a companion of Saint Nicholas as described in the folklore of Germany. He first appears in written sources in the 17th century, as a figure in a Nuremberg Christmas procession.
What does Ruprecht look like?
Ruprecht wears a black or brown robe with a pointed hood. Sometimes he walks with a limp, because of a childhood injury. He can be seen carrying a long staff and a bag of ashes, and on occasion wears little bells on his clothes.
What gifts did Knecht Ruprecht give to the children?
According to tradition, Knecht Ruprecht asks children whether they can pray. If they can, they receive apples, nuts and gingerbread. If they cannot, he hits the children with his bag of ashes. In other versions of the story, Knecht Ruprecht gives naughty children gifts such as lumps of coal, sticks, and stones,…