Kallikantzaros

Kallikantzaros
Kallikantzaros with goat legs urinating on the Christmas pastries on a tray.
—Greek primer illustration
Creature information
Other name(s)karakoncolos, karakondžula, karakondzhol
GroupingFolklore
Sub groupingGoblin
Origin
CountryGreece, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania
RegionSoutheastern Europe
DetailsShape-shifting

The kallikantzaros (Greek: καλικάντζαρος, romanizedkalikántzaros) is a malevolent creature in modern Greek folklore.

Kallikantzaroi are believed to dwell underground spending most of the time trying to saw down the giant tree that supports the earth, but come to the surface during the twelve days of Christmas, from 25 December to 6 January (to Theophany/Epiphany).

Its equivalents occur in Bulgarian (karakondžul, караконджул), Serbian (karakondžula, караконџула)), Bosnian, Albanian (karkanxholl), Cypriot, and Turkish folklore (karakoncolos).