#belschnickel

[justmecarmeng]

Giant Goat! Another mark of Swedish heritage for visitors to see is the giant straw Yule Goat. It is Swedish tradition for the Yule Goat to be erected each year at the beginning of Advent. I'm sorry, this sounds way too much like #dwightschrute #theofficeus #belschnickel #roadtrip #roadsideamerica #kitsch #awesomeamerica #insearchofquirk #americana #iowatourism #Iowa #thisisiowa (at Swedesburg, Iowa) https://www.instagram.com/p/CA3YKvph7Sq/?igshid=1rn12o74ghuyz

[pennsylvaniaparanormal]

If you ever need to explain who the Belschnickel is to your english friends, just show them this picture of a christmas ornament im proud to now call my own

[shadowfishtank]

Merry merry #belschnickel #christmas #holidays (at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmklJ-lJ0vw/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[loribherbstartist]

Impish or admirable? #belschnickel https://www.instagram.com/p/BrynLOYgGh-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=9x7qcv4jazj5

[pennsylvaniaparanormal]

Belsnickel

Translating to “St. Nicholas in furs” or “St. Nicholas who wallops,” the Belsnickel is a companion of the Christ Kindel or St. Nicholas who brings both cheer and fear during the holiday season. His origins go back to Pagan times in Western Europe, and his legend was brought to America by early German immigrants. For centuries up to today, the Belsnickel has visited Pennsylvania German families across PA during Christmastime. 

Krampus is a figure from European myth, believed to be a remnant of a Pagan god, who accompanies St. Nicholas or the Christ Child during Christmas. He is a horned and hairy figure with sharp fangs and a long tongue. He carries a ruten, a bundle of birch switches, or a whip to swat bad children, and chains or a bag to carry them off into hell. He appears on December 5th, Krampusnacht, when a feast is traditionally held in the Alpine regions of Europe. People may offer peach schnapps to appease him when he comes to judge.

It is from Krampus that all other companions of St. Nicholas were formed, including the Belsnickel. He originated in Germany’s Rhineland region, and was brought over by the immigrants who would eventually become the Pennsylvania German. There are several versions of his legend to be found in PA. 

The Belsnickel wears many furs and/or a tattered cloak, black, brown, or gray in color. He paints his face, maybe with mud, or wears a mask with a long tongue and/or antlers. In this way, he resembles his origin, Krampus. He carries a bundle of birch (sometimes hickory) switches in one hand, and a bag full of candy and treats in the other. He acts independently from St. Nicholas and the Christ Kindel, appearing at the homes of children in the dead of night 1-2 weeks before Christmas. 

He raps on the windows and doors of a house, waking the children, and then lets himself inside. In some legends, he is offered a meal or something to drink. The Belsnickel can identify the naughty children easily, and switches them with his birch branches. In some more sinister versions of the legend, he drags the bad children off into the woods to torture them. He then asks the good children to perform him a song, poem, or Bible verse, and in return, he scatters treats on the ground for the children to gather. If any child is too eager for the candy, however, they will be switched as well. In some versions of the legend, the Belsnickel simply leaves candy in the stockings of the good children, and a single birch branch in the stockings of the bad.