Old Man Winter

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Caricature of Old Man Winter

Old Man Winter is a personification of winter.[1][2] The name is a colloquialism for the winter season derived from ancient Greek mythology and Old World pagan beliefs evolving into modern characters in both literature and popular culture.[3]

History[]

Humans have associated the winter season with deities since the ancient Greece god of winter Boreas, the Norse mythology god of winter Ullr and continuing on in other cultures including Celtic mythology with the goddess Cailleach and goddess Beira.[3] Over time, the old gods of winter changed to new humanizations of the seasons, including Old Man Winter.[3]

See also[]

  • Deities and personifications of winter
  • Ded Moroz, Russian name for "Old Man Frost".
  • Jack Frost, personification of frost, ice, snow, sleet, winter and freezing cold.
  • Yuki-onna, a "snow woman" spirit in Japanese folklore.

References[]

  1. ^ Oxford English Dictionary
  2. ^ Farlex Dictionary
  3. ^ a b c AccuWeather: Winter tales and myths: Where did Old Man Winter, Jack Frost come from?


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