Knecht Ruprecht
Drawn illustration | |
| Creature information | |
|---|---|
| Other name(s) | Rû Clås, Hans Ruprecht, Rumpknecht, Bullerclås, Schmutzli, Butzli, Ruppknecht, Pelznickel, Rupperich, Hans Muff, Farmhand Rupert |
| Grouping | Companion |
| Similar entities | Krampus, Zwarte Piet, Snegurochka |
| Folklore | German |
| Origin | |
| Country | Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein |
| Region | Central Europe, Southern Germany |
| Details | Known as the companion of the Nikolaus |
Knecht Ruprecht (German pronunciation: [ˌknɛçtˈʁuː.pʁɛçt] ⓘ; English: Farmhand Rupert, Servant Rupert or Farmhand Robert, Servant Robert) is a companion of Saint Nicholas as described in the folklore of Germany. He is the most popular gift-bringing character in Germany after Saint Nicholas, Christkindl, and Der Weihnachtsmann but is virtually unknown outside the country. He first appears in written sources in the 17th century, as a figure in a Nuremberg Christmas procession.: 155