christmas monsters Archives - The Spooky Stuff by Alex Matsuo

Saint Lucia: The Martyr of Light

Saint Lucia’s story originates far from the snowy landscapes of Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Scandinavia. Born in 4th-century Sicily, Lucia was a Christian martyr known for her unwavering faith and her acts of compassion. According to legend, she brought supplies and light to persecuted Christians hiding in catacombs, wearing a crown of candles to keep her hands free. Her life, however, ended in tragedy; she was tortured and killed for her beliefs, her eyes gouged out in the process. Despite her martyrdom, Lucia’s name lives on as a symbol of hope and resilience.

In Sweden, Norway, Finland, and other parts of Scandinavia, Saint Lucia’s Day is celebrated with candlelit processions. The tradition sees a girl dressed in white, symbolizing purity, leading a procession while wearing a crown of candles to light the way. The day embodies light overcoming darkness and offers a moment of warmth and reflection during the long, cold nights of winter.

No Saint Lucia celebration is complete without lussekatt, saffron-infused buns shaped like curled-up cats. These golden treats are shared in abundance, adding sweetness to the day’s festivities. However, lussekatt carries a darker history. Originally known as dövelskatt (“Devil’s bun”), these pastries were once believed to ward off evil spirits. Tossing one over your shoulder while traveling at night was said to distract lurking demons, allowing you to pass unharmed.

Lussi: The Shadow of the Longest Night

While Saint Lucia embodies the light, Lussi brings the shadow. In Nordic folklore, Lussi is a powerful and malevolent sorceress who commands the Wild Hunt, or Lussiferda, a chaotic entourage of spirits, trolls, and demons. Her presence on December 13th, known as Lussinatta, marks the longest night of the year according to the Julian calendar—a time when darkness reigns supreme.

Lussi’s wrath is said to fall upon those who are unprepared for Yule. Houses must be clean, preparations for the holiday complete, and children safely in bed. Those who fail to meet her expectations risk punishment, abduction, or worse. The night is filled with eerie tales of Lussi’s entourage abducting unwary souls, making December 13th a time to stay indoors and keep the fires burning bright.

Animals, too, play a mystical role on Lussinatta. Folklore suggests that on this night, animals gain the ability to speak. Listening to their conversations, however, is said to bring bad luck or even death, adding another layer of fear to the night’s dark enchantment.

The Balance Between Light and Dark

The dual legends of Saint Lucia and Lussi reflect a timeless theme: the interplay between light and dark. While Saint Lucia’s story offers inspiration and hope, Lussi’s tale serves as a reminder of the dangers lurking in the shadows. Together, they embody the human struggle to find balance, especially during the cold and dark months of winter.

This contrast also highlights the evolution of cultural traditions. Saint Lucia’s story, with its Christian roots, was introduced to Scandinavia and merged with pre-Christian folklore, creating a rich tapestry of beliefs and practices. The result is a celebration that honors both the light and the dark, the sacred and the profane.

Modern Celebrations and Reminders of the Past

Today, December 13th is predominantly celebrated as Saint Lucia’s Day, with processions, music, and the sharing of lussekatt. Yet, echoes of Lussi’s legend remain in the superstitions and stories told on this night. For many, the day is a reminder of the need for balance in life—to acknowledge both the light and the dark, the joy and the fear.

As you light a candle this Saint Lucia’s Day or savor the sweet taste of lussekatt, take a moment to reflect on the layers of history and meaning behind the tradition. Whether you find inspiration in Saint Lucia’s unwavering faith or intrigue in Lussi’s shadowy warnings, December 13th offers a powerful reminder of the duality that shapes our world.

Conclusion

December 13th is more than just a date on the calendar; it is a night rich with meaning and duality. From the glowing candles of Saint Lucia’s procession to the chilling tales of Lussi’s Wild Hunt, this night captures the essence of human experience: a balance between hope and fear, light and darkness. Whether you’re celebrating the light or heeding the warnings of the dark, December 13th invites you to embrace the stories that connect us to our past and illuminate our present.

When we think of Christmas, images of lights, Christmas trees, cookies, presents, snow, and Santa Claus flood the mind. We think of the holidays as the “most wonderful time of the year.” Rarely do we think of spooky things. Thanks to the Puritans and Halloween, scary entities like ghosts and monsters are typically kept to the fall. But, in parts of Europe, Christmas monsters are not only an integral part of the holidays, they play a starring role.

The holiday season in Europe, not only includes Christmas, but also the 12 Days of Christmas. They are seen as the 12 days between the birth of Christ and the arrival of the Magi.

In some parts of the world, the 12 days of Christmas were seen as unholy days. This would be when Christmas monsters would be able to come out back in the olden days.

Let’s take a look at ten Christmas monsters to make your Christmas more spooky!

The Kallikantzaros

The Kallikantzaros are from Southeastern European and Anatolian folklore. Their lore is so interesting! Throughout the year, the Kallikantzaroi spend their days trying to cut down the World Tree in the underworld. They use this big saw and work together nonstop. But then, during the 12 Days of Christmas, or when the sun stops moving, the Kallikantzaroi come to the Earth’s surface. While here, they wreak havoc on sinners! They are even known to sit on the door frames outside brothels and attack sinners as they leave. By the time they return to the underworld, the World Tree healed itself. Thus, the Kallikantzaroi start all over trying to cut down the World Tree.

Krampus

As mentioned in this video, Krampus was my gateway Christmas monster. The day before St. Nicholas Day, Krampus and St. Nick go to houses and give away presents or punishment. St. Nicholas will reward the good children with presents. Krampus will “reward” the naughty children in the most terrifying way. He will beat them with birch sticks, put them in a basket, and take them to hell. If you look at the Germanic lore of Krampus, he will actually EAT the naughty children. This seems to be more effective than Elf on the Shelf, right?

Lussi

Lussi is from Norway and Sweden, and she’s another one you don’t want to mess with. Today, Lussi is portrayed as a beautiful woman in a white sash, and St. Lucia’s Day is on December 13th. St. Lucia is seen as angelic, and pleasant. But just a few centuries earlier, Lucia was known as Lussi, and she wasn’t quite so nice. Back then, Lussi is portrayed as a hideous demon who travels by broomstick with her legion of demons, trolls, and other evil spirits. If you aren’t tucked safely into bed, Lussi and her crew would kidnap or kill you!

Frau Perchta

While Krampus was my first love, Frau Perchta is my current love. To be honest, she makes Krampus seem a bit soft. Frau Perchta is the upholder of cultural taboos, especially when it comes to spinning and weaving. You should have your spinning done by Christmas. Plus, eat fish and gruel on Frau Perchta‘s feast day. If you haven’t finished your spinning, or abide by Frau Perchta’s feast day, there’s hell to pay. During the 12 Days of Christmas, she roams the countryside going into homes. She will know immediately if you’re naughty or nice, finished spinning, and ate fish and gruel. If you’re nice, you get a coin. If you’re naughty, she will slit your belly open, take out your insides, and stuff you with garbage and straw.

Straggele

The Straggele are the helpers of Frau Perchta in Switzerland. That’s right, she has groupies! The Straggele are a band of demons that help Frau Perchta during the 12 Days of Christmas. They love feasting on leftovers during this time. If you don’t leave out your leftovers, then they go for something much more succulent; your wallet and your children. According to lore, they will rip your children to pieces. In some variations, they will just rob the kids. In others, they throw the kids in the air while ripping them apart. #FeedtheStraggele

Grýla

If Frau Perchta is my first love, Grýla is a close second. She is a giantess from Icelandic folklore, and she can really scare some kids into behaving! Each Christmas, Grýla comes from her cave in the volcanic mountains, and she will take all of the naughty children in town and puts them in the bag. She will carry all the naughty kids back to her cave. Then, she boils them alive and eats them! The Icelandic government ended up banning the use of Grýla to get kids to behave. She’s also the mother of the Yule Lads, who you will meet next!

The Yule Lads

The Yule Lads are a band of brothers you don’t want to mess with. These thirteen brothers wreak havoc in the nearby village. They come to town one by one, visiting kids during the thirteen days before Christmas. Children leave their shoes out on window sills and each Yule Lad will leave a present in their shoe. If the kid is naughty, they will get a potato. The Yule Lads will also cause chaos based on the name. For example, Spoon Licker will lick spoons. Window Peeper will peep into widows and steal stuff inside. Sausage Swiper steals sausages.

Jólakötturinn

Also known as the Yule Cat, Jólakötturinn is Grýla’s house cat. Remember, Grýla is a giantess, which means that Jólakötturinn is a giant cat! It is a black cat that prowls the countryside on Christmas Eve that eats anyone who isn’t wearing at least one new piece of clothing. If you’ve ever wondered where the tradition of Christmas jammies and Christmas socks came from, this might be connected. The oldest written account dates back to the 18th century and may have been used to motivate people to finish their chores by Christmas. Why? The reward was for new clothes.

Belsnickel

You might know who Belsnickel is if you’ve watched The Office. Belsnickel has many of the same characteristics as Krampus, but he’s not as scary. He’s a crotchety old-man dressed in fur who works alongside Saint Nicholas. He will bring presents for good children and whipping naughty children. He may be based on Knecht Ruprecht. What’s interesting is that he has also been known to wear a mask with a long tongue, which sounds like Krampus.

Mari Lwyd

Mari Lwyd is a delightful custom in South Wales. To put it very simply, Mari Lwyd is a Christmas zombie horse that wants to eat and drink everything in your house. As you can see in the picture, dressing up as Mari Lwyd involves a horse’s skull on a pole while the person is hiding under a cloth. During Christmas, Mari Lwyd stands outside your door and sings songs to get inside. The person living inside has to respond with their own song. This back and forth of singing continues until someone relents. If it’s the homeowner, Mari Lwyd gets to raid their pantry and drink all of their beer.

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Saint Lucia vs. Lussi: A Night of Light and Ancient Demons