Christmas is traditionally viewed as a positive time of love with family gatherings,
gift giving and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. However, around the world, there
are also scary Christmas monsters in their folklore mix.
Different countries around the world have unique characters that are an
integral part of their festive culture. While we all know and love the
song, Santa Claus is coming to town - "You better watch out, You better not cry,
You better not pout, I'm telling you why, Santa Claus is coming to town. He's
making a list, He's checking it twice; He's gonna find out who's naughty or
nice. Santa Claus is coming to town". There are some countries that take this
'Naughty List' to the extreme!
Above Image Source
You Better Look Out For These Monsters. Enjoy! :)
Krampus, derived from the German word krampen, meaning claw, is a yeti-like creature that whips misbehaving children and carries them in a basket on his back. He wears chains and sports a terrifying mask with horns, fangs, and a big tongue.
Krampus' myth was initially told in pagan times. According to legend, Saint
Nicholas would only chase Krampus away from children who promised to behave.
Saint Nicholas represents good, while Krampus represents pure evil.
La Befana, known as the Italian Christmas witch, is depicted with crimson eyes,
full lips, and an unsettling expression. She usually has soot on her from
climbing up and down chimneys and flies on a broom.
Italy has cherished the legend of La Befana since the 16th century. This
mythical figure treats well-behaved children with kindness but turns into
a frightful presence for those on the naughty list. While good children
receive toys, mischievous ones are left with dust and ashes.
Mischievous youngsters in Iceland meet the frightening Gryla, an ogress
who lives in a mountain cave and emerges every Christmas to torment
wicked children. Gryla's terrifying reputation in the 18th century
extended beyond mere scares; she was thought to gobble up unruly
children, leading to a government order prohibiting the use of Gryla to
inspire dread in misbehaving kids. Gryla is also the mother figure of
the Yule Lads, a group of 13 naughty figures with names like 'Spoon Licker,'
'Door Slammer,' and 'Sausage Swiper.'
Jolakotturinn, unlike many other characters on this list, doesn't judge based
on good or bad behavior; its only concern is your wardrobe. As per Icelandic
legend, this fearsome feline, who lives with Gryla and the Yule Lads,
devours those who do not have new clothes for Christmas. The tradition is
similar to another Icelandic tradition in which those who complete their
yearly tasks receive new clothing before the holidays. Ultimately, this
fashion-conscious cat acts as an unusual motivator for both youngsters and
adults to be careful not to become a meal for a huge cat.
Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost), the Slavic counterpart to Santa Claus, differs
slightly from the popular St. Nick that Americans are familiar with. Ded Moroz
holds a magical staff and makes a joyous debut at New Year's Eve gatherings,
distributing gifts straight to youngsters, escorted by his granddaughter, the
Snow Maiden, Snegurochka.
After the Russian Revolution, Ded Moroz remained absent for a few years due to
a ban on Christmas-like New Year's traditions. Joseph Stalin lifted the ban in
1935, but with the condition that Ded Moroz adopt a blue coat to avoid any
parallels with the western Santa Claus.
Olentzero visits on Christmas Eve in Basque communities to present holiday
gifts to youngsters. While Olentzero, an overweight man who wears a beret,
smokes a pipe, and dresses like a Basque farmer, is now a beloved character
who brings gifts, he used to have violent characteristics. In the beginning,
he went around the town with his sickle, cutting the throats of people who
had eaten too much on Christmas Eve.
Found across southeastern Europe, the Kallikantzaroi and their evil kindred spirits
are peculiar subterranean beings. These small, impish creatures, with their dark
hue, make rare appearances, predominantly during the 12 days of Christmas. Their
usual habitat lies deep within the Earth, where their primary goal is to bring
about global annihilation.
In ancient lore, a World Tree shoulders the weight of the world, with its roots
and branches cradling the earth. The Kallikantzaroi carry out their mischievous
activities within this cosmic framework. While their primary goal is to saw down
the World Tree throughout most of the year, they take a break during the
Christmas season. Instead, they turn their focus to creating chaos on Earth,
allowing the World Tree to undergo a healing process. This safeguards against
the ultimate destruction of the world by the Kallikantzaroi demons.
Legend has it that to ward off the destructive Kallikantzaroi from your home,
hanging a pig's jaw behind the door is recommended. Much like other demons,
these creatures have a weakness for counting. To keep them occupied, people
hang flax, as they are supposed to be too engrossed in counting the strands
to cause trouble.
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SHANGRALA'S
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