Humans have associated the winter season with
deities, e.g., the
ancient Greek god of winter
Boreas, and 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] Among the
Potawatomi people of the Western
Great Lakes region, there exists a myth about Old Man Winter, called Pondese in their language.[5] Old Man Winter was a character in
Iroquois legends.[6]
Popular culture
Literature
Nancy Wood, an American author and poet, included a poem titled "Old Man Winter" in her 1974 collection of poetry and prose called Many 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 of
Iroquois stories.[6]
J. Walter Brain penned a poem entitled "Old Man Winter".[8]
Advertising
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]
The
Libbey-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]
Sports and games
The Old Man Winter Bike Rally and Run is held in February every year in
Lyons, Colorado.[11]
A thoroughbred race horse, born in 2017 and owned by James S. Acquilano, was named Old Man Winter.[12]
Music
There is a two part
choral octavo called Old Man Winter, written by Lois Brownsey and Marti Lunn Lantz.[13]
Television
A version of Old Man Winter named Father Winter appears in Jack Frost, voiced by
Paul Frees. He serves as the boss of
Jack Frost and his co-workers.
In The 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 by
Homer, aka Mr. Plow.
Food and drink
Ribstone Creek Brewery, located in
Edgerton, Alberta, Canada, brews a
porter by the name of Old Man Winter. This beer won a silver medal in the porter category in the 2020 Canadian Brewing Awards.[14]
^Neely, Justin; Velie, Alan R. (2018). "Pondese: Old Man Winter and Why We Have Spring Today". In Palmer, Gus (ed.). When Dream Bear Sings: Native Literatures of the Southern Plains. University of Nebraska Press. pp. 51–54.
ISBN978-0803284005.