Jack Frost

For other uses, see Jack Frost (disambiguation).
19th-century cartoon depicting Jack Frost as a United States major-general during the American Civil War

Jack Frost is the personification of frost, ice, snow, sleet, and freezing cold weather,[1] a variant of Old Man Winter held responsible for frosty weather, for nipping the nose and toes in such weather, coloring the foliage in autumn, and leaving fernlike patterns on cold windows in winter.

Starting in late 19th century literature, more filled-out characterizations of Jack Frost have made him into a sprite-like character. He sometimes appears as a sinister mischief maker or as a hero.

Background

Jack Frost is traditionally said to leave the frosty, fern-like patterns on windows on cold winter mornings (window frost or fern frost) and nipping the extremities in cold weather. So-called window frost has become far less prevalent in the modern world due to the advance of double-glazing, but Jack Frost remains a well-known figure in popular culture. He is sometimes described or depicted with paint brush and bucket coloring the autumnal foliage red, yellow, brown, and orange.[2]

History

He may originate from Anglo-Saxon and Norse winter customs.

In Russia however, he has taken on a different form as Grandfather Frost, and in Germany there is instead a different entity altogether. There are various other mythological beings who take on a similar role yet have different folklore to them.

Jack Frost has appeared as a character in television and movies. He was mentioned in the wintertime song "The Christmas Song" (aka "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire"). He has been presented as a villain in some media and a hero in others.

In popular culture

Literature

Window with frost patterns
Jack Frost pattern on window in Gatineau, Quebec

Comics

Theatrical feature films

Radio, animated short films, and television animation

Video games

Jack Frost has appeared in many video games including:

Music

See also

References

  1. ↑ Oxford English Dictionary, first edition, s.v. 'frost' and 'Jack'
  2. ↑ Bartholomew F. Bland, Laura L. Vookles, William H. Gerdts, Laura L. Vookles. (2010) Paintbox Leaves: Autumnal Inspiration from Cole to Wyeth. Hudson River Museum. p. 41. ISBN 0943651301.Tveten, John L. and Gloria Tveten. (2008). Nature at Your Doorstep: A Nature Trails Book. Texas A&M University Press. p. 47. ISBN 1603440364.
  3. ↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=dvjq1dwGmgIC&pg=PA48
  4. ↑ Charles Sangster (April 1875). "Little Jack Frost. A Rhyme for Flossie": 308. JSTOR 20636992.
  5. ↑ The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum, Part 2, Chapter 2: How Claus Made The First Toy
  6. ↑ The Runaway Shadows or A Trick of Jack Frost by L. Frank Baum at the Wayback Machine (archived March 4, 2005)

External links

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