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 goddesses Cailleach and Beira. Over time, the old gods of winter transformed into new personifications of the seasons, including the elemental spirit Old Man Winter.A variant form of Old Man Winter, Jack Frost is the personification of frost, ice, snow, sleet, and freezing cold weather. (In Russia he is the rather more severe Grandfather Frost.) He is the one supposedly responsible for changing the colour of autumn foliage, and for painting the fern-like patterns of ice seen on cold window panes in the depths of winter.
Although originally a sinister mischief-maker, in recent years he has been transformed into a kindly, child-like sprite who simply wishes to enjoy himself and bring happiness to others, as in the 2012 Christmas movie Rise of the Guardians.Jack Frost makes an appearance in 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas, but to say whether he is a kindly sprite or a sinister mischief-maker would be to give the game away.
Chances are he will also make an appearance in 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas, which is currently funding on Kickstarter.
To find out more about the festive season and its many traditions, order your copy of the Chrismologist's Christmas Explained: Robins, Kings and Brussel Sprouts today!
The book is also available in the United States as Christmas Miscellany: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Christmas.
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