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Parade of character (52 Photos)
In many cities in Austria (Innsbruck, Klagenfurt ...) is now parading Devils (Krampus Parade), which once drove the Saint Nicholas. Who are the Krampus? These are the most common features with the hairy skin, huge horns and ugly face. Where are the demons hiding for a year is not known, but on 5 December, they unanimously selected out of their shelters and are in the towns and villages.
In the streets of Austrian cities go in terrible shape skins in scary masks, with goat horns on his head. They resound with iron chains, rattling balls with a metal crowbar inside, yelling and dancing in the streets. But that's half the battle - sometimes they attack passers break even in bars, whipped with rods of all, butt horns and even knocked to the ground! According to legend, Krampus is evil spirits, which drove the local Santa (Saint Nicholas). About Krampus known in Austria, Hungary, Croatia and in some other places. There they find the satellites (or opposites) of St. Nicholas.
It should be noted that Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Santa Claus and other varieties of New Year well-wishers, handing out toys and candy to children has little to do with the real bishop of Byzantium, who lived in the IV century. As for gifts, according to one version, Nicholas-St gifts to young parishioners virgin for strict observance of the norms of morality (put a coin it in shoes), on the other - I used to secretly throw money to the poor, on the third ... However, for many centuries, legend a host of options. The important thing is that in some countries preserved the tradition of celebrating St. Nicholas Day on December 5-6, and exchange gifts.
According to folk beliefs, Saint Nicholas brings gifts to good children. Well Krampus presents charcoal and stones mischief, do not listen to their parents. Those boys and girls who behaved particularly bad, hairy monster punishing rods or even blows to his lair in the backpack.
That is why until now in the St. Nicholas young men dress up in fur coats turned inside out, wear scary masks and shouting and making a noise, chase through the streets of the children. Anyway, this custom is observed in almost all of Austria.
A source
In the streets of Austrian cities go in terrible shape skins in scary masks, with goat horns on his head. They resound with iron chains, rattling balls with a metal crowbar inside, yelling and dancing in the streets. But that's half the battle - sometimes they attack passers break even in bars, whipped with rods of all, butt horns and even knocked to the ground! According to legend, Krampus is evil spirits, which drove the local Santa (Saint Nicholas). About Krampus known in Austria, Hungary, Croatia and in some other places. There they find the satellites (or opposites) of St. Nicholas.
It should be noted that Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Santa Claus and other varieties of New Year well-wishers, handing out toys and candy to children has little to do with the real bishop of Byzantium, who lived in the IV century. As for gifts, according to one version, Nicholas-St gifts to young parishioners virgin for strict observance of the norms of morality (put a coin it in shoes), on the other - I used to secretly throw money to the poor, on the third ... However, for many centuries, legend a host of options. The important thing is that in some countries preserved the tradition of celebrating St. Nicholas Day on December 5-6, and exchange gifts.
According to folk beliefs, Saint Nicholas brings gifts to good children. Well Krampus presents charcoal and stones mischief, do not listen to their parents. Those boys and girls who behaved particularly bad, hairy monster punishing rods or even blows to his lair in the backpack.
That is why until now in the St. Nicholas young men dress up in fur coats turned inside out, wear scary masks and shouting and making a noise, chase through the streets of the children. Anyway, this custom is observed in almost all of Austria.
A source
