Quote from Angela on December 23, 2021, 6:24 pm

Christmas is upon us once again. So grab a cup of cocoa, gather friends around the fireplace and enjoy our list of scariest festive folklore monsters and traditions!

Where did Santa really come from?

Many speculate that Santa originated within the Pagan faith, he was a forest entity who granted gifts to local children. Others believe Santa originated from the Krampus tales. He was the ‘good’ version of bad Krampus.

Others say Santa was the original Saint Nicholas from the fourth century. He was a beloved Turkish Bishop. In Holland he was known as Santa Klaus. The anniversary of his death became known as St Nicholas Day.

1500 years later, an American Professor named Clement Moore later wrote a reimagined poem about Saint Nicholas which we still enjoy today – The Night Before Christmas.

We’ve all heard the Biblical origins of Christmas but societies have been celebrating light and birth, in the darkest winters, centuries before Christ walked the earth. In the Norse countries, this celebration is referred to as Yule.

Around December 21^st, the Winter Solstice, families would bring in evergreen trees as a reminder of good fortune and new life.

Ancient Rome had its own festival known as Saturnalia, a season of food and drink in honor of Saturn, God of Agriculture. Rome also celebrated the birth of Mithra, who they believed to be a mediator between God and man, which originally took place on December 25^th. However, these practices were discriminated against as being Pagan and were sternly challenged as Christianity emerged introducing the birth of Jesus.

KING WENCESLAS

Many believe that Santa was inspired by King Wenceslas, a happy jolly King who would grant gifts to local children. The truth is King Wenceslas was ordered to be killed by his own brother, who said he simply disliked him. Wenceslas was duly slain.

WALES – MARI LWYD

In South Wales, it is believed the spirit of Mari Lwyd roams the hillside every festive season.

Mari Lwyd is Welsh for ‘Holy Mary’.

Mari Lwyd is a phantom white horse with a skeletal head.

This creepy Christmas folklore custom is said to date back to pagan roots and sees communities dress up in white sheets, horse masks, adorned with colorful reins and bells, knocking from door to door singling yuletide songs.

GUATEMALA – DEVIL BURNING

This Guatemalan tradition is one way that each household gathers up all the dust of the past year.

The whole pile of dust is placed underneath an effigy of the devil himself, and set alight, allowing a new year entrance to clean homes and is honored every December 7^th.

ICELAND – JOLAKOTTURINN

This Christmas Icelandic creature is nothing more than a simple feline cat.

However, this is not a playful pet.

In the northern mountains, there is place no one ever dares to go. It can only be found via an ancient path worn from the feet of sheep and wild animals. Here you will find a cave where the Christmas cat (or Jolakotturinn) lives.

This cat was said to aid a witch known Gryla, and the two would set about kidnapping children from their beds every Christmas season.

Families would see this troublesome cat running off carrying their children, some still sleeping, their little legs dangling from the felines sharp claws. The cat would then hand the innocent children over to the witch who would then sacrifice, or eat, them.

NETHERLANDS - HANS TRAP

An evil rich man who worships Santa, known as Hans Trap, appears as a scarecrow.

It is said God struck him with lightening and in anger and revenge Hans Trap torments children. This sinister scarecrow walks from crop fields to unsuspecting homes and is said to attack the living. 

But don’t worry, he only targets children who are on the naughty list. So be good.

SPAIN - THE CAGANER

There is one sinister character who sets out to intentionally spoil and ruin nativity scenes throughout Spanish towns. He is knows as The Caganer and it is said he evolved mid 18^th century.

WREN DAY

The Victorian era is infamous for posthumous portraits in which the dead were photographed clothed and posed as if merely peacefully sleeping. Many communities were obsessed with death and had a penchant for creepy Christmas cards, including illustrations of murderous toads on flocks of dead Wren birds.

The dead Wrens became symbolic of the poor abandoned children who froze to death during harsh winters. This became known as Wren Day.

ENGLAND - SNAPDRAGON

Snapdragon was a traditional game played every Christmas Eve in 1600s England. The game involved indulging in flaming hot treats such as almonds and raisins dipped in hot brandy. This was all done under candlelight in darkened rooms to create an eery and dramatic effect.

Sometimes children joined in but would grab the hot treats all too soon, often resulting in blistered fingers and scorched palates and a trip to the doctors office.

This much loved tradition was so popular that it was even referenced by William Shakespeare in his works, as well as Charles Dickens and Agatha Christie.

SWEDEN – THE GAVLE GOAT

The Gavle Goat, also called Yule Goat or Gavlebocken, is a giant horned goat made from straw with metal frame interior which was built in the Swedish town of Gavle in 1966.

This was intended as a focal point of celebratory get togethers during the winter season. However, alarmingly, the giant goat gets destroyed each and every year, usually by arsonists and vandals, leaving only the framework behind.

Communities continue to erect their own versions of the yule goat, in the hopes they won’t be sabotaged.

Still want more?

Why not check out our linked article below to discover more Christmas monsters.

https://boiseghost.org/resources/forum/topic/christmas-monster-legend-folklore-fireside-community-festive/