Krampus
mythical figure
In folklore, Krampus is a horned, anthropomorphic figure. It is described as being half-goat and half-demon. During the Christmas season, Krampus punishes children who have misbehaved. The is the opposite of Saint Nicholas, who rewards the well-behaved with gifts. Krampus is one of the companions of Saint Nicholas in several regions including Austria, Bavaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, South Tyrol and parts of Northern Italy. The origin of Krampus is not known, but some folklorists and anthropologists believe it has pre-Christian origins.
