The history of the Krampus figure has been theorized as stretching back to pre-Christian Alpine traditions. In a brief article discussing the figure, published in 1958, Maurice Bruce wrote:
There seems to be little doubt as to his true identity for, in no other form is the full regalia of the Horned God of the Witches so well preserved. The birch – apart from its phallic significance – may have a connection with the initiation rites of certain witch-covens; rites which entailed binding and scourging as a form of mock-death. The chains could have been introduced in a Christian attempt to 'bind the Devil' but again they could be a remnant of pagan initiation rites.
In recent years, the myth that the Krampus was the son of Hel, Norse goddess of the underworld, has been popularised on the internet, even appearing in articles in National Geographic and Smithsonian Magazine.
Here's a enjoyable written piece by the author Gerald Brom, regarding the origins of Krampus.
In Search of Krampus...
Who came first? Santa Claus or Krampus? It could be argued that they both sprouted from the same origins, but variations of the Krampus far preceded any of the more humanized, charitable versions of Santa Claus.
Winter Solstice and its associated celebrations date back long before the birth of Christ. Yule sprung from pagan winter festivals in Germanic regions, celebrating the rebirth of the land with feast and sacrifice, tying into Odin’s Wild Hunt and other Norse myths and legends. One of the prominent symbols of Yuletide is the Yule Goat, the Yule Goat which is one of the first manifestations of the Krampus we so dearly know and love today.
From the beginning, Krampus represented the change of seasons, a nature and fertility spirit who chased away wicked spirits and assured a bountiful growing season in return for tribute. Later he was assimilated into the evolving lore and legends of Germany and Austria. This lore spread into Croatia, Czech (Slovakia), Slovenia, Switzerland, and Northern Italy. The original Yule Goat was said to be an ugly creature that frightened children while making certain that Yuletide traditions were carried out properly. Later, the Yule Goat, or Krampus, was also attributed with handing out Yule gifts.
In some legends Krampus has been associated with or said to be a version of the Norse god Loki, who is at times portrayed as a horned devilish trickster figure.
These legends also suggest that Krampus carted children away to Hell, or Hel, to the daughter of Loki. These early manifestations had no association with Saint Nicholas.
Once Christianity came along Krampus was cast, along with many other horned nature spirits, into the role of a demon or devil. Despite several attempts over the centuries by the church and some European governments to stamp out Krampus celebrations, Krampus and Yuletide have endured and as with most pagan traditions, have been adopted (or as Krampus would argue, stolen) by and into their Christian counterparts, such as the bringing of evergreen trees and wreaths inside the home, and the leaving of gifts in socks or boots.
Santa Claus’s origins can be traced back to early Norse mythology and I seized upon historians’ associations of Santa Claus with the white-bearded Odin. But after digging deeper I felt Odin’s son, Baldr, made a closer comparison. It is written that Baldr was loving and gentle-natured, gracious, and fair to behold, that he spread charity and goodwill amongst the downtrodden—a Christ-like figure in many ways including his death and rebirth.
Baldrs legend fits perfectly, from his tragic death by a mistletoe spear at the hands of his blind brother Hoor (guided by Loki), to his subsequent imprisonment in Hel and eventual rebirth after Ragnarok and the fall of Valhalla.
As much of Europe transformed from paganism to Christianity, a few of their gods and spirits made the transition with them in one form or another, but most were left behind and forgotten.
Source: http://fairyroom.com/2012/12/in-search-of-krampus/
