Kings of Frost and Snow
Jack Frost, Old Man Winter and Frosty the Snowman
In the last post, we explored the Winter Queens. In this post, we will be exploring the folklore of the Kings of Ice and Snow. Our journey begins with the mischievous and ethereal Jack Frost, who paints delicate frost patterns on windowpanes and leaves a chill in the air wherever he roams. We then encounter the venerable Old Man Winter, a figure steeped in mythology, including the formidable Nordic god Ullr, the frosty deities of ancient Rome and Greece, and the enigmatic Slavic legend of Ded Moroz. Finally, we bask in the delightful whimsy of Frosty the Snowman, the lovable character brought to life in song and animation. Join us as we unravel the stories, origins, and cultural significance of these iconic winter kings, celebrating the magic of the icy season.
Jack Frost
Jack Frost is a mischievous and elusive character. He is said to be responsible for the frosty patterns that appear on windows and the delicate ice crystals that adorn plants and surfaces during cold winter nights. Jack Frost is commonly depicted as a sprite-like figure, and sometimes as a small, slender man with icy blue skin or a white, frost-covered creature, often portrayed wearing a pointed hat and a coat made of frost. Jack Frost is known for his playful and mischievous nature, darting through the wintry landscapes, leaving a trail of frost and icy breath behind him, sometimes causing trouble as he goes. It is likely that Jack Frost originated from Anglo-Saxon and Norse folktales about Old Man Winter.
However, this frost-charmed character first appeared in literature in 1734, in the pamphlet book Round About Our Coal Fire, or Christmas Entertainments. Jack Frost was later featured in 19th-century writer Hannah Flagg Gould’s poem, The Frost, where he was depicted as a peaceful and artistic character who paints icy pictures on windows and makes a small bit of mischief along the way.
In 1874 Margaret T. Canby published the book Birdie and His Fairy Friends, which featured a short story titled, The Frost Fairies. This story depicted Jack Frost as the kindly king of the Winter Spirits who helps children escape from the cruelty of the neigbouring King Winter. Charles Sangster published a story in The Aldine in 1875 (Vol.7, No.16), Little Jack Frost, in which Jack Frost is depicted as a mischievous but harmless being that nips people’s noses and coats the landscape in snow before Dame Nature chases him away for spring. Scottish poet and author, Thomas Nicoll Hepburn, who also wrote under the pseudonym Gabriel Setoun, wrote one of the more well-known poems about Jack Frost in the late 1800s.
L. Frank Baum also wrote several stories featuring Jack Frost. The book, The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, published in 1902, features Jack Frost, son of the Frost King who enjoys nipping people’s noses, ears and toes. Santa Claus asks Jack to spare the children, and Jack agrees “if he can resist the temptation.” In another short story by Baum, the same Jack Frost character has the power to freeze shadows and separate them from their owners, making them into their own entities.
In 1934, Ub Iwerks produced an animated short film about Jack Frost as part of its ComiColor cartoon series, in which Jack Frost warns the creatures of the forest about Old Man Winter while he paints the landscape in autumnal colours. You can watch the full 8-minute film below.
Ranking/Bass Productions produced a stop motion animated TV Christmas Special, Jack Frost, which first aired on NBC in December 1979 and tells the tale of Jack Frost and his adventures as a human. Warner Bros. re-released the special in 2008 as a digitally re-mastered DVD. Enjoy watching the short intro below.
In Terry Pratchett’s novel The Hogfather, published in 1996 and the 20th book in his Discworld series, Jack grows tired of painting fern patterns and begins to paint more elaborate pictures on windows.
In 2012, children’s film writer and producer, William Joyce released the film Rise of the Guardians, which features Jack Frost with his own origin story. Joyce also published a children’s picture book about Jack Frost in 2015 as part of his Guardians of Childhood series, with a slightly different origin story to the movie. In my household, watching The Rise of the Guardians, has become a tradition for this time of year and now I might also add the classic 1979 Jack Frost movie.
As you can see, Jack Frost is an iconic figure who captures the enchantment and chill of winter, leaving behind a trail of frosty magic and winter fun wherever he roams.
Old Man Winter
Old Man Winter, like Jack Frost, is another prominent figure in folklore associated with the winter season. He is seen as the personification of the harshness and coldness of winter and is often portrayed as an elderly man with a flowing white beard who blows winter over the landscape with his breath or simply freezes the landscape with his presence.
Although winter was frequently associated with winter goddesses in the myths of the ancient Celts, and indigenous populations of Northern Europe, in the Nordic pantheon, the god Ullr (or Oller) is said to represent winter alongside the goddess Skaði who we met in a previous article on the Winter Queens. According to the Poetic Eddas, Ullr ruled over Asgard and Midgard during the winter months and was banished from Midgard during the summer months when Odin, as the god of summer, claimed kingship. Some scholars assert that Ullr was one of the oldest gods of the Vanir, whose importance waned by the time the northern parts of Norway were settled. He may be related to Skaði and is even now considered the Guardian Patron Saint of Skiers. A medallion depicting Ullr, wearing skis and holding a bow and arrow is commonly worn as a talisman by ski patrols, as well recreational and professional skiers throughout Europe’s alpine regions during the winter ski season.
In Scottish folklore, there is a similar figure known as Old Man Winter or Old Jack Frost. He is described as an elderly man with a long white beard, dressed in tattered winter garments. He brings the frost and snow, covering the land with a wintry blanket. Legends often tell of encounters with Old Man Winter during snowy nights, where he bestows blessings upon those who show kindness and hospitality.
The ancient Romans also influenced folklore in northern and western Europe. Winter was represented by the Roman god Aquilo or Septentrio. Aquilo was the Roman god of the northeast wind associated with winter, cold, and storms. He was also sometimes known as Septentrio, which refers to the seven (septem) stars that form the Plow or Big Dipper constellation. Similarly, the ancient Greeks called their god of the northeast winter wind Boreas, who was depicted as an old man with shaggy hair and a long beard, wearing a billowing cloak and holding a conch shell. He was said to be very strong and had a violent temper to match.
In Russian folklore, Old Man Winter is known as Ded Moroz, or Morozko, which directly translates to Grandfather Frost. In modern Russia, Ded Moroz has evolved into a figure similar to Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas and Santa Claus, though he delivers presents to children for Russia’s New Year holiday, Novy God. We will learn more about the jolly figure of Ded Moroz and his granddaughter, the Snow Maiden Snegurochka, later on in the year, closer to the Christmas season. For now, his origins pre-date Christianity. According to some scholars of Slavic mythology, Ded Moroz was a Slavic winter wizard, or a snow demon. It is essential to understand, that before the Christianisation of the Rus, the term ‘demon’ did not have its current negative connotations. ‘Demon’ merely indicated that the character was an elemental force of nature rather than a human or a god.
Old Man Winter's significance extends beyond folklore, often symbolising the passage of time and the cyclical nature of the seasons. He represents the power and majesty of winter, reminding people of the need to prepare, endure, and appreciate the colder months.
Frosty the Snowman
Frosty the Snowman is a beloved and iconic character that has become synonymous with the winter season. The origin of Frosty the Snowman can be attributed to the song of the same name, "Frosty the Snowman," written by Walter "Jack" Rollins and Steve Nelson. The song was first recorded by Gene Autry and the Cass County Boys in 1950 and was an instant hit. It tells the enchanting story of a snowman who comes to life with the help of a magical hat and embarks on adventures with children. That same year, Little Golden Books published a children’s book, Frosty the Snow Man, adapted by Annie North Bedford and illustrated by Corinne Malvern. In 1955, UPA studio released a black and white animated short of Frosty the Snow Man, which is still played on American TV stations during the winter holiday season.
The song was covered soon after its release by Jimmy Durante and Nat King Cole, whose versions also became well-loved hits.
Following the success of the song, Frosty the Snowman was adapted into a 25-minute animated television special in 1969. The animated special, produced by Rankin/Bass Productions, brought Frosty to life in a captivating and heartwarming way. The special follows the story of a group of children who build a snowman named Frosty and witness his magical transformation into a lively and joyful character. Three sequels followed:
Frosty’s Winter Wonderland in 1976, based on the song Winter Wonderland
Rudolf and Frosty’s Christmas in July, released in 1979, and
The Legend of Frosty the Snowman, released in 2005
Since then, Frosty the Snowman has become an enduring symbol of winter and the holiday season. The character has appeared in numerous adaptations, including books, films, and merchandise, captivating the hearts of children and adults alike. Frosty's cheerful personality, endearing design, and message of friendship and joy have made him an iconic figure associated with the magic and whimsy of winter.
I would love to hear about your own experiences, stories, traditions, poems, recipes, and thoughts about the winter season. Please share in the comments, share with your friends, and remember to subscribe and get every new post in your email. See you again soon.