Exploring Krampus: Winter Legends and Lore

The Rise of Krampus: An Austrian Folklore Icon’s American Journey

In the early 2010s, something eerie crept into America’s Christmas cheer—a figure clad in shaggy fur and adorned with goat horns. Known as the Krampus, this sinister creature from Austrian folklore was determined to punish naughty children—a fate far worse than a lump of coal. Between 2010 and 2015, Krampus soared through American pop culture, appearing in unexpected places from "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations" to "Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated."

Krampus in Pop Culture

Skeptics initially dismissed Krampus as a fleeting phenomenon. Yet, his popularity endured, leading to his debut on the big screen with Michael Dougherty’s 2015 horror flick, "Krampus." In recent years, Krampus has made his mark in the Disney+ series, "The Santa Clauses," and Amazon’s "Red One," featuring stars like Chris Evans and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Beyond the screen, Krampus has also inspired a unique tradition: Krampus bar crawls. These festive processions, a twist on Austria’s Krampusumzüge, see costumed performers unleashing joyful terror in over 30 U.S. cities.

Exploring Darker Christmas Traditions

Folklorist Chad Lewis delves into this dark yuletide legend and other chilling tales in his 2023 book, Winter Legends and Lore. At just 95 pages, Lewis’s work entices readers into the chilling world of Christmas folklore. Through twenty chapters, Lewis introduces mythical beings such as Sweden’s Tomten and Scotland’s Nisse, credited as inspirations for Santa’s elves. More than a sinister highlight reel, his book examines the lore surrounding winter solstice festive traditions like Christmas carols and mistletoe’s charm.

Krampus and Beyond

As Lewis transitions from cheerful folkloric tales to malignant creatures, he includes a chapter on the Wendigo—a fearsome monster from First Nations Algonquin mythology. Though unrelated to Christmas, its frosty association justifies the inclusion. Lewis’s previous co-authorship of Wendigo Lore: Monsters, Myths, and Madness serves as a worthy prelude.

Delight and dread intertwine when exploring Krampus and his American cousin, Belsnickle, a figure popularized by "The Office." Lewis dabbed into superstitions tied to the Twelve Days of Christmas and New Year’s Eve, followed by chilling appearances from La Befana, Italy’s winter witch.

The Forgotten Archives of American Folklore

Perhaps the most fascinating revelation from Winter Legends and Lore is its excavation of forgotten American tales. Did you know that Krampus made its U.S. debut in the Detroit Free Press as early as 1872? Or that discussions on Nisse loured in journals as late as 1961, dating back even further? Lewis’s research uncovers such nuances, proving how folklore can be forgotten and rediscovered. His book stands as a reminder to look beyond the veil of the familiar, into the captivating mythos woven into the tapestry of America’s holiday past.