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The companions of Saint Nicholas are a group of closely related figures who accompany St. Nicholas in German-speaking Europe and more widely throughout the territories formerly in the Holy Roman Empire. These characters act as a foil to the benevolent Christmas gift-bringer, threatening to thrash or abduct disobedient children. Jacob Grimm (''Deutsche Mythologie'') associated this character with the pre-Christian house spirit (kobold, elf) which could be benevolent or malicious, but whose mischievous side was emphasized after Christianization. The association of the Christmas gift-bringer with elves has parallels in English and Scandinavian folklore, and is ultimately and remotely connected to the modern Christmas elf in American folklore. Names for the "dark" or threatening companion figure include: ''Knecht Ruprecht'' in Germany, ''Krampus'' in Austria, Bavaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Friuli, Hungary (spelled ''Krampusz''); ''Klaubauf'' in Bavaria, Austria; ''Bartel'' in Styria; ''Pelzebock''; ''Befana''; ''Pelznickel''; ''Belzeniggl''; ''Belsnickel'' in the Palatinate (and also Pennsylvania, due to Pennsylvania Dutch influence); ''Schmutzli'' in Switzerland; ''Rumpelklas''; ''Bellzebub''; ''Hans Muff''; ''Drapp''; ''Buzebergt'' in Augsburg and ''Little Babushka'' in Russia. The corresponding figure in the Netherlands and Flanders is called ''Zwarte Piet'' or ''Black Pete'', and in Swiss folklore ''Schmutzli'', (schmutz meaning dirt).〔Jacob Grimm, ''Teutonic Mythology'' (trans. Stallybrass): "Their pranks, their roughness, act as a foil to the gracious higher being from whom the gifts proceed ... how to explain the Swiss ''Schmutzli'' I do not righly know, perhaps simply from his smutty sooty aspect? Instead of Grampus there is also in Styria a ''Bärthel'' (pointing to Bertha, or Bartholomew?) ''Schmutzbartel'' and ''Klaubauf'', who rattles, rackets and throws nuts."〕 In the Czech Republic, St. Nicholas or ''Svatý Mikuláš'' is accompanied by the ''Čert'' (Devil) and ''Anděl'' (Angel). In France, St. Nicholas' companion is called "Rubbels" in German-speaking Lorraine and ''Hanstrapp'' (in Alsace, East of France)〔(【引用サイトリンク】 Christmas Eve Pre-Christian Traditions )〕 and ''Le Père Fouettard'' (Wallonia, Northern and Eastern France). == Appearance == Often the subject of winter poems and tales, the Companions travel with St. Nicholas carrying with them a rod (sometimes a stick and in modern times often a broom) and a sack. They are sometimes dressed in black rags, bearing a black face and unruly black hair. In many contemporary portrayals the companions look like dark, sinister, or rustic versions of Nicholas himself, with a similar costume but with a darker color scheme. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Companions of Saint Nicholas」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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