Saint Nicholas’s ‘dark’ companions, those whose function is to frighten or punish, often present as beastmen or half-beasts adorned in furs, horns, and claws—costumes in stark contrast to Nicholas’s benignly bearded appearance.

The tradition speaks (in part) to the role these figures play as bridges between deep winter pagan customs involving nature worship and observance of the cycle of light and dark—indeed, the frightful costumes worn are conceived partly as protection against the very real threats posed by winter’s long, dark nights—and later Christianized observances, such as Saint Nicholas processions and Santa Claus’s annual magical delivery of gifts. 

The fascinating figure of Belsnickel, for instance, combines this anthropomorphic beastliness with the ragged look of other Nicholas cohorts (like Italy’s la Befana, a Christmas witch who traditionally appears dressed in tatters). Draped in old furs and looking on the whole rather disheveled, Belsnickel may wear an animal mask of some kind, but he usually shows up to the Saint Nick party looking more man than beast. He’s described as mean and crotchety. He passes out candies and other treats to children, only after having tricked them in some way that involves his ever-present switch / whip. 

With his fellow Christmas cohorts, Belsnickel shares the dual task of delivering presents to good children and punishing bad children. His name derives from the diminutive of Nicholas and a German word that means “to beat severely”, yet an alternative version of his name, Pelznickel, refers to his fur-clad appearance (pelz = pelt). Interestingly, his name might also be related to Krishkinkle, aka Kris Kringle, though it seems the more widely confirmed origin of Kris Kringle is Cristkindle, German for “Christ child.”

Belsnickel is well traveled. He’s known in America, in particular in Pennsylvania, as discussed in this 2018 Pennsylvania Heritage piece that discusses Belsnickel’s evolution and journey from his German and Dutch roots to America with fascinating depth and detail.

pictured: Swiss engraver Karl Janslin’s 1880 portrayal of Belsnickel at the threshold reflects his various functions: though distributing treats to reward the “good” children, he nonetheless has his whip at the ready, while the children hide in fear.