Legend of Belsnickel - The Terrifying Christmas Monster with a Switch and Surprises

Описание: Belsnickel is a character from German folklore, particularly associated with the Christmas traditions of the Palatinate region. The name "Belsnickel" is derived from the Middle High German "belzen," meaning "to wallop" or "to drub," and "Nickel," which is a diminutive form of the name Nicholas.

Belsnickel is often portrayed as a companion to St. Nicholas, the traditional gift-bringer in many European cultures. Unlike the benevolent and generous St. Nicholas, Belsnickel is a more enigmatic figure who is sometimes seen as a disciplinarian or a mischievous character. He is known for his rough appearance, often wearing tattered clothing and carrying a switch or a bundle of twigs to chastise naughty children.

In some traditions, Belsnickel is said to visit homes before Christmas to check on children's behavior. He may reward good behavior with small gifts or treats, while misbehaving children might receive a stern warning or a light punishment.

Belsnickel is a man wearing furs and sometimes a mask with a long tongue. He is typically very ragged and disheveled. He wears torn, tattered, and dirty clothes, and he carries a switch in his hand with which to beat naughty children, but also pocketsful of cakes, candies, and nuts for good children.

The Belsnickel character originated in the Palatinate. When people immigrated to Pennsylvania, they brought their German traditions with them. Belsnickel was known in Pennsylvania in the early 1800s. Amongst the Pennsylvania Germans, Belsnickel is the character who visits homes prior to Christmas to check up on the behavior of the children. The traditional Belsnickel showed up at houses 1–2 weeks before Christmas and "often created fright because he always knew exactly which of the children misbehaved". He would rap on the door or window with his stick and often the children would have to answer a question for him or sing some type of song. In exchange he would toss candies onto the floor. If the children jumped too quick for the treats, they may end up getting struck with Belsnickel's switch.

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