He can be seen carrying a long staff and a bag of ashes, and on occasion wears little bells on his clothes.Knecht Ruprecht first appears in written sources in the 17th century, as a figure in a According to tradition, Knecht Ruprecht asks children whether they can pray. Knecht Ruprecht (also known as Farmhand Rupert or Servant Rupert). According to some stories, Ruprecht began as a farmhand; in others, he is a wild foundling whom Saint Nicholas raises from childhood. In South Germany, Austria, Northern Italy and other parts of Europe, party-goers dress up as the frighting looking Krampus creature bearing torches and stride through the streets terrifying children and adults alike. Some say he acts as Sinterklaas’s helper. In many contemporary portrayals the companions look like dark, sinister, or rustic versions of Nicholas himself, with a similar costume but with a darker color scheme.
„Der Krampus ist eine Art höllisches Zottelwesen und gehört zum süddeutschen Nikolaus-Brauchtum.“ Sometimes he walks with a limp, because of a childhood injury. (Sources: http://www.live-like-a-german.com/, http://www.krampus.com/, http://news.nationalgeographic.com/, http://www.toplessrobot.com/2011/12/10_fun_facts_about_krampus_the_christmas_demon_1.php) According to German tradition he appears in homes on St. Nicholas Day to ask parents about their children's behaviors. Während im ausgehenden Mittelalter der Name Knecht Ruprecht noch lange nicht überall bekannt war, sondern jeweils nach den örtlichen Befindlichkeiten Belznickel, Beelzebub oder einfach nur schlichtweg Teufel genannt wurde, geht die Bezeichnung Knecht Ruprecht auf Figuren aus dem Alpenvorland oder aber aus Thüringen zurück und verbreitete sich so zur mittlerweile bekanntesten Figur. He’s known from the German folklore, some compare him to Krampus, but he is not exactly the same… Several stories go around about the actual origin of Knecht Ruprecht.
Some Austrian tales name him as Krampus or Bartel, while German folklore also records the names Hans Muff, Butz, Hans Trapp, Krampus, Klaubauf, Bullerklas, Pulterklas, and Schimmelreiter. The story of Knecht Ruprecht stretches back to the late Middle Ages. If they can, they receive apples, nuts and In related folk traditions more closely associated with certain regions in the The companions of Saint Nicholas are a group of closely related figures who accompany Saint Nicholas in German-speaking Europe and more widely throughout the territories formerly in the Knecht Ruprecht is Saint Nicholas' most familiar attendant in Germany. December 06, 2014 Often the subject of winter poems and tales, the Companions travel with Saint Nicholas carrying with them a rod (sometimes a stick and in modern times often a broom) and a sack. In Austria and some areas of Germany, many children know him as Knecht Ruprecht, which means "Knight" Ruprecht or "Servant" Ruprecht. Depending on the response, he would give switches for use on the bad children, before dragging them into the woods.Krampus, whose name is derived from the German word krampen, meaning claw, is celebrated on Krampusnacht, which takes place on the night before St. Nicholas’ Day. Knecht Ruprecht is Saint Nicholas' most familiar attendant in Germany. Beispiele: Der Krampus ähnelt in der Funktion dem Knecht Ruprecht, es bestehen aber Unterschiede zwischen beiden Figuren; zum Beispiel treten Krampusse meist in größeren Gruppen auf. The hell-bound counterpart is known by many names across the continent, such as Knecht Ruprecht, Black Peter, Schmutzli, or also as Krampus. der Krampus [ oder Knecht Ruprecht - Klaubauf - Pelznickel - Hans Muff - Hans Trab ] Gefürchtet bei den unartigen Kindern ist ein zotteliges (und nicht schön anzuschauendes) Wesen verschiedener Bezeichnungen wie Krampus (Österreich) oder Knecht Ruprecht bwz. The hell-bound counterpart is known by many names across the continent, such as Knecht Ruprecht, Black Peter, Schmutzli, or also as Krampus. Knecht Ruprecht is usually seen as as a half-demon, half goat looking figure bearing devilish horns and a monstrous tongue, but he can also be spotted as a sinister man with a black beard bearing a black furry robe, a chain and bells along with a bundle of birch sticks to punish the naughty children. Krampusnacht is increasingly being celebrated in other parts of Europe such as Finland and France, as well as in many American cities. Knecht Ruprecht is the dark companion of St. Nicholas, who rewards good children each year with gifts and candy on December 6, St. Nicholas Day. The legend is part of a centuries-old Christmas tradition in Germany, where Christmas celebrations start early in December.Knecht Ruprecht is the dark companion of St. Nicholas, who rewards good children each year with gifts and candy on December 6, St. Nicholas Day. According to some stories, Ruprecht began as a farmhand; in others, he is a wild Ruprecht wears a black or brown robe with a pointed hood. Der unheimliche Krampus, die angsterregende Schreckensgestalt für viele Kinder, schlug im Landkreis München grausam zu. They are sometimes dressed in black rags, bearing a black face and unruly black hair.