St.Nicholas and his wild companions are the personifications of good and evil.
St. Nicholas was the Bishop of Myra. He was a martyr in the time of the persecution of Christians. He was very bountiful to the poor.
His companions with the terrible masks are the embodiment of the devil. The masks are made from practised workmen. This so-called "Larven" are used to show the mixture between man and animal. The "Krampus" wears sheepskin rug or goatskin, a belt of bells and carries a rood. You can see them running through the streets or invite them to visit your house. St. Nicholas is the leader of the evil horde. He gives little gifts to the children. There is no reason to fear them.