SELECTED BLOG ARTICLES AS AN INTRODUCTION

Sunday, December 25, 2016

GRUB VOM KRAMPUS


Shortly after dark,
discovered having been tossed onto my driveway by someone,


a festive miniature sock monkey 


having
"Grub vom Krampus" 
hand written on the price tag;
cost of item obfuscated as well.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus:  Krampus is a horned, anthropomorphic folklore figure described as "half-goat, half-demon", who, during the Christmas season, punishes children who have misbehaved, in contrast with Saint Nicholas, who rewards the well-behaved with gifts. Krampus is one of the companions of Saint Nicholas in regions including AustriaBavariaCroatiaCzech RepublicHungarySlovenia and Northern Italy. The origin of the figure is unclear; some folklorists and anthropologists have postulated a pre-Christian origin for the figure.
In traditional parades and in such events as the Krampuslauf (English: Krampus run), young men dressed as Krampus participate; such events occur annually in most Alpine towns. Krampus is featured on holiday greeting cards called Krampuskarten.

Europeans have been exchanging greeting cards featuring Krampus since the 1800s. Sometimes introduced with Gruß vom Krampus (Greetings from the Krampus), the cards usually have humorous rhymes and poems. Krampus is often featured looming menacingly over children. He is also shown as having one human foot and one cloven hoof. In some, Krampus has sexual overtones; he is pictured pursuing buxom women. Over time, the representation of Krampus in the cards has changed; older versions have a more frightening Krampus, while modern versions have a cuter, more Cupid-like creature.[citation needed] Krampus has also adorned postcards and candy containers.










Not sure if this is supposed to be taken as an insult?


Or a cautious... 




compliment/complement?







No comments:

Post a Comment