'Ware The Krampus! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Austria

The Krampus is an integral part of the traditions in Central European countries, such as Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, and Slovenia. It has been very difficult to find the origin of the custom; however, some believe that by the sixteenth century in Germany the tradition of a masked demon appearing at Christmas festivals was in place.

Others think the tradition goes back to the pre-Christian age in the area, and the Krampus became the Christian devil as more people were converted.

Answer: Hel

Hel was a daughter of Loki who was chosen to be the goddess of the dead by Odin. Although her appearance was not perhaps quite as frightful as her son's, she was described as being half dead and half alive, as her body and face were those of a living woman, while her thighs and legs were those of a corpse.

She resided over Hel, or Helheim, but only received a portion of the dead. The Vikings believed that there were many resting places of the dead; for example, those who died in battle resided in Valhalla with Odin, or Fólkvangr with Freyja. Exactly which of the dead were sent to Hel is a bit unclear.

Some sources say that evil men were sent to Hel upon death, but they also state that the old and ill went there, too.

Answer: Claw

"Krampus" is derived from the German word "krampen", which means "claw. Indeed, the Krampus does have claws. The better to scare you with! This is how he is able to catch bad little children to put in his sack or wicker basket. What happens to these children after they are taken by the Krampus? No one knows for sure.

He may eat them or throw them in the river. Some say he takes them to his lair and scares them into being good. One thing I know is that I don't need a visit from the Krampus to insure my good behavior! The ornament on the tree is enough!

Answer: Goat

Although the Krampus is pictured in a variety of ways, most show him as a very tall, black or brown hairy creature with the horns and beard of a goat. This may be closely related to the fact that Satan is associated with goats in the Bible, and pictured with goat horns and a beard.

His appearance, reminiscent of creatures like fauns and satyrs from Greek mythology, especially the Greek god of nature, Pan, is very frightening. If that isn't enough, the Krampus also has a very long pointy tongue and fangs.

He is also pictured with two legs with one cloven hoof in most pictures and one that is quite hairy with claws like his hands.

Answer: St. Nicholas

During Krampusnacht the two are sometimes seen as companions - or the Krampus appears alone, going from business to business and home to home. By the 17th century, the Krampus became the companion of St. Nicholas at many Christian festivals - not just Krampusnacht. Some stories say that they judge the children together. St. Nicholas, of course, is seeking the good children. Dressed in his bishop garb, he is in the village to leave behind small gifts for those worthy. The Krampus, on the other hand, is looking for the bad children. What will he do with them?

Answer: Birch

The Krampus carries with him a bundle of birch sticks, which he may or may not use to whip people. It's important to stay out of his way on Krumpusnacht because he isn't very discriminating about who gets hit, and my friend says that those birch branches hurt! When he was little his parents would keep a bundle of branches in their house year-round to remind him to be good and refrain from any behavior that might summon the Krampus.

But really, it is said that the Krampus never concerns himself with the whereabouts of the good children. I think I know what that means about my friend!

Answer: Wooden Mask

It is a tradition for people participating in Krampusnacht to wear a hand-carved wooden mask as part of their costume. Wearing fur suits and these carved masks, the people parade through the village, yelling, ringing bells, and generally making a racket. Sometimes the performance was repeated on the longest night of the year for the winter solstice. My friend said that when he was younger his parents told him that if he wasn't good, they would let the revelers come into their home on Krampusnacht and invite them to have food and drink. Now that is enough to scare a person into behaving himself!

Author's Note: Some towns in Austria today have Krampus museums where old costumes and masks are on display.

Answer: December 5

The Krampusnacht takes place on December 5 and the Feast of St. Nicholas is December 6. Parents tell their children that if they are bad the Krampus will take them away to Hell, eat them, or drown them. The implication is that the children who are not taken away by the Krampus will be visited by St. Nicholas the next day - but that is not necessarily what will happen. Children typically put their shoes outside their door, hoping for a treat of candy or presents.

Answer: Sticks

When children put out their shoes for St. Nicholas to fill, they are hoping for some sort of treat, but based on everything I have heard about the Krampus, I am not sure if a stick, or perhaps a lump of coal, is all bad. What is the alternative? That he puts me in his sack and takes me to Hell? Or that he beats me with his sticks? I think I would choose sticks over either of those choices!

Answer: Chains

It is thought that the chains of the Krampus symbolize the binding of Satan in the Christian Church. Sometimes the chains also contain bells, and the Krampus makes a terrible racket as he goes from place to place. Some believe that the noise originated in pre-Christian times when pagans were trying to scare away evil winter spirits.

As the Krampus rattles his chains and announces his presence, clever children may choose to run away - if they are quick enough.