Personification of winter
Old Man Winter is apersonification ofwinter.[1][2] The name is acolloquialism for the winter season derived from ancientGreek mythology andOld Worldpagan beliefs evolving into modern characters in bothliterature andpopular culture.[3] He is usually depicted as an old man, often blowing winter over the landscape with his breath, or simply freezing the landscape with his very presence.[4]
Humans have associated the winter season withdeities, e.g., theancient Greek god of winterBoreas, and in other cultures includingCeltic mythology with the goddessCailleach and goddessBeira.[3] Over time, the old gods of winter changed to newhumanizations of the seasons, including Old Man Winter.[3] Among thePotawatomi people of the WesternGreat Lakes region, there exists a myth about Old Man Winter, called Pondese in their language.[5] Old Man Winter was a character inIroquois legends.[6]
- Nancy Wood, an American author and poet, included a poem titled "Old Man Winter" in her 1974 collection of poetry and prose calledMany Winters[7]
His breath roared out from his lips, Stopping all streams at their source. The feet of Old Man Winter walked upon the earth, freezing all the grass.
- Mabel Powers, an American author, suffragist and feminist, known for collecting and disseminating Native American folklore, included a story titled "How Old Man Winter Was Driven Back" in an anthology ofIroquois stories.[6]
- J. Walter Brain penned a poem entitled "Old Man Winter".[8]
- American Airlines used Old Man Winter in a 1941 ad campaign, touting "Old Man Winter... We like his snow to play in, but it's not all fun... travel above those dark, low-hanging clouds..."[9]
- TheLibbey-Owens-Ford Glass Company used Old Man Winter in a World War 2 era ad campaign promoting their new storm windows. The campaign was launched in conjunction with the US Government in an effort to keep domestic fuel consumption low and conserve it for the war effort. "Keep Old Man Winter Out... Keep Warm With Storm Windows!" the ads read.[10]
- The Old Man Winter Bike Rally and Run is held in February every year inLyons, Colorado.[11]
- A thoroughbred race horse, born in 2017 and owned by James S. Acquilano, was named Old Man Winter.[12]
- There is a two partchoral octavo called Old Man Winter, written by Lois Brownsey and Marti Lunn Lantz.[13]
- A version of Old Man Winter named Father Winter appears inJack Frost, voiced byPaul Frees. He serves as the boss ofJack Frost and his co-workers.
- InThe Simpsons episode "Mr. Plow",Abe plays the role of Old Man Winter in the Mr. Plow commercial, where he filled the Simpsons' driveway with snow and then gets beaten up byHomer, aka Mr. Plow.
- Ribstone Creek Brewery, located inEdgerton, Alberta, Canada, brews aporter by the name of Old Man Winter. This beer won a silver medal in the porter category in the 2020 Canadian Brewing Awards.[14]
- Southern Tier Brewing Company, which originated inLakewood, New York, US and now has locations in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Ohio, brews anale called Old Man Winter.[15]
- Cape Cod Beer, located inHyannis, Massachusetts, brews anold ale by the name of Old Man Winter.[16]
Media related toWinter (category) at Wikimedia Commons
The dictionary definition ofOld Man Winter at Wiktionary