Krampus

Krampus is a monster and folklore figure from countries such as Austria, Bavaria, Hungary, and Switzerland. His name means “claw” and he is thought to accompany Santa Claus. In Austria he is seen as Santa’s evil twin and appears on December 5. He is often depicted as a seven-foot-tall hairy humanoid with dark skin, a goat-like head, a long tail, curling horns, and a long hanging tongue. He carries a birch switch and threatens to beat bad children with it. He is thought to attack and give nightmares to naughty children on the orders of Santa Claus. In Austria, he leaves birch brooms in the houses of naughty children, and in the Netherlands, there is a story where it is said that he nearly beat a bishop to death for banning Christmas songs.

Citations:

Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.