Old Man Winter facts for kids

Caricature of Old Man Winter

Old Man Winter is a fun way to imagine the winter season as a person. This idea comes from old stories, like ancient Greek myths and pagan beliefs. Over time, he became a character in books, movies, and songs. He's usually shown as an old man. Sometimes he blows cold air to make it winter, or just makes everything freeze by being there.

The Story of Old Man Winter

People have imagined winter as a powerful being for a very long time. Ancient Greeks had Boreas, their god of the north wind and winter. The Norse people, from Northern Europe, had Ullr, a god linked to winter and skiing. Other cultures, like the Celts, had goddesses like Cailleach and Beira who brought winter.

Over time, these old gods changed. They became more like human characters representing the seasons. Old Man Winter is one of these characters. Some cultures even had a specific character named "Old Man Winter." For example, the Potawatomi people, who live near the Great Lakes, have a myth about Old Man Winter, whom they call Pondese. He also appears in legends from the Iroquois people.

Old Man Winter in Pop Culture

Old Man Winter appears in many places today. You can find him in books, songs, games, and even advertisements.

Old Man Winter in Books

• Nancy Wood, an American writer, included a poem called "Old Man Winter" in her 1974 book, Many Winters.
• Mabel Powers, an American author, collected Native American stories. She included a tale called "How Old Man Winter Was Driven Back" in a collection of Iroquois stories.
• J. Walter Brain wrote a poem titled "Old Man Winter."

Old Man Winter in Ads

• American Airlines used Old Man Winter in a 1941 advertisement. They suggested flying above the clouds to escape his cold weather.
• The Libbey-Owens-Ford Glass Company used Old Man Winter in ads during World War II. They promoted storm windows to help people stay warm. This also helped save fuel for the war effort.

Old Man Winter in Sports & Games

• The Old Man Winter Bike Rally and Run is a yearly event. It takes place every February in Lyons, Colorado.
• A racehorse born in 2017 was named Old Man Winter.

Old Man Winter in Music

• There is a two-part song for a choral group called "Old Man Winter." It was written by Lois Brownsey and Marti Lunn Lantz.

Old Man Winter in Food & Drink

• Ribstone Creek Brewery in Edgerton, Alberta, Canada, makes a dark beer called Old Man Winter. It won a silver medal in 2020.
• Southern Tier Brewing Company in Lakewood, New York, USA, also brews a beer called Old Man Winter.
• Cape Cod Beer in Hyannis, Massachusetts, brews a strong, aged beer named Old Man Winter.

See also

• Other winter gods and characters
• Ded Moroz, a Russian character similar to Santa Claus and Old Man Winter
• Jack Frost, a character who brings frost, ice, and snow
• Yuki-onna, a "snow woman" spirit from Japanese folklore