A German
Christmas servant (and pseudo-
precursor to
Santa), his name comes from the two
German words "Pelz" (fur) and "Nichol" (Nicholas), meaning "
St. Nicholas dressed in fur". The Belsnickel has been variously described as thin or portly, and as a man or woman. His only truly consistent trait appears to be his commitment to
justice over
holiday good will.
As was the trend in many
European countries in the middle ages,
Germany had both happy and angry
gift givers. The Belsnickel was the
angry counterpart of the
Christ Kindl (which, after years of mispronunciation by Americans, eventually became
Kriss Kringle – another name synonymous with
Santa Claus), a tiny child representing the
Christ Child. As the less
cheerful of the pair, the Belsnickel’s job was mainly to leave switches for children who were naughty – but he would also leave small toys, mittens, or fruit for good children he came across. He is one of the first
Christmas characters to separate the "
good children" from the "
bad children" – a trait our current day
Santa Claus continued to some degree with his
infamous list.
Unlike Santa Claus, who brings gifts in the middle of the night, the Belsnickel made his appearance just before
bedtime, announcing himself by pounding on the door or rapping at the window. Carrying a bag of various
treats in one hand and a
switch in the other, he punished or rewarded children depending on their behavior. Children were sometimes given a chance to redeem themselves by reciting a poem or singing a song.
In the
US, the name Belsnickel became synonymous with a sinister clown-like character of the
Pennsylvania Dutch, who played tricks on people and scared young children. In more
southern states of America, Belsnickel was said to
kidnap bad children and carry them away to who knows where. Children's imaginations called up fates worse than anything the adults might suggest.
With the publication of
Clement Clarke Moore's poem, "
A visit from St. Nicholas," the popularity of Belsnickel and Christ Kindl dwindled as the more popular modern day image of
Santa Claus began to take shape. The Belsnickel lingered for a bit, but soon fell into
obscurity, revived only occasionally to wreak some
Christmas havoc...
Sources:
http://www.kindredkringles.com/legends.htm
http://www.ety.com/HRP/walshcomments/belsnickel.htm