Kallikantzaroi
Kallikantzaroi are the Greek goblins
of Christmas! Folklore has it that
they reside in the middle of the
earth where they have been
sawing at the “Tree of the
World” in hopes of killing us
all. However, during the 12
days of Christmas, they come
up to Earth’s surface to spite
and plague human race. When
they return to the tree, the wood
has been restored and the
Kallikantzaroi must start all over
again. Certain practices are put
into place in order to ward off these
beasts. Many people light an ongoing
fire for the twelve days to keep these
creatures at bay. They are said to
enter your home through your chimney
or door if they’re bold enough. They will
cause your food to spoil, urinate in your
flowerbeds, break your furniture, and
overall act like wild toddlers. There are
other ways to ward them off besides fire.
For instance, tangled strand of flax can
distract them counting strings rather than
bothering you. Hanging the lower jaw of a pig
on the inside of your door is a sure way to keep
them out, but it does seem messier than string
and fires.
This Christmas, if your children misbehave or no longer fear coal in their stockings, you may opt to tell them of foreign traditional Christmas characters such as these. Just don’t be surprised if therapy ends up being on next year’s Christmas list.