The deities of snow and winter around the world go deeper than you might think.
By Brad Northrup
Cover photo courtesy Shallan Knowles
Throughout the course of human history, civilizations from around the globe have worshipped the change of seasons, and, as such, created gods and goddesses to direct their prayer towards. For those of us who look forward to the colder months, winter equates to skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and other snow-related outdoor activities. However, to those who existed in antiquity, winter was a time that represented death and rebirth, and the snow that came with it a symbol of purity and innocence. While a few of the gods and goddesses associated with winter are well known in skiing lore, many are far more obscure.
Ullr is perhaps the most well-known winter deity. According to Norse mythology, Ullr was the son of Sif and the stepson of Thor, and was regarded as the god of winter, archery, and skiing. Granted, skiing a thousand years ago was a survival skill rather than a leisure activity. Ullr also ruled over Asgard during the winter months, and relinquished his position to Odin during the summer, according to a 12th century work that detailed the history of the Danes. Historians also theorize that Ullr was likely based on an earlier Germanic pagan god, as his name was inscribed on an excavated bronze scabbard dating from the early 3rd century. In the modern period, Ullr is regarded as the patron saint of skiing, and many resorts have statues of him standing guard over their guests and throw celebrations in his honor. Most notably, Breckenridge Colorado has hosted an Ullr festival every January since 1963 as a way to bring luck and fresh snow to the resort.
Westerners probably don’t envision epic power days when they think of Japan, but the island nation has over 500 resorts and experiences storms that are the envy of many North American mountains. More importantly, Japan’s culture reveres nature, so it is not surprising that they have their own snow deity. Yuki-Onna, or the “snow princess,” is regarded as a very important, albeit creepy, mythical creature who is often depicted as a beautiful, paled-skin woman with white hair and piercing blue/violet eyes who is said to have the ability to freeze anything with her icy stare. Stories from as early as the 14th century also depict her as an evil spirit who kills unsuspecting victims with her icy breath.
With their cultures deeply rooted in the natural world, the various North American indigenous cultures also maintained several gods of winter. Existing in almost year-round winter conditions, the Inuit people of the Arctic deeply revered the snow god Negafook. As the embodiment of the North Wind, Negafook is often depicted as a tall, gaunt man with white hair, icy skin, and eyes that resemble frozen lakes. According to oral tradition, Negafook holds the power to create blizzards, change the air temperature, and even freeze the entire landscape with his frosty breath. To this day, the Inuit continue to worship Negafook, with his likeness appearing on carved masks used in ceremonial dances. Farther south, the Iroquois tribe deeply feared the snow god Gohone, who was represented as an old man who held the power to bring brutally cold weather and monstrous snowstorms. The Iroquois also believed that Gohone was the creator of the Aurora Borealis, or northern lights.
Despite being surrounded by a tropical paradise, the early inhabitants of the island of Hawaii had their own snow goddess. With an elevation of 13,803 feet above sea level, the summit of Mauna Kea is regarded as one of the most sacred locations in Hawaii, and the goddess Poli’ahu is one of the most important deities associated with the towering volcanic peak. The daughter of two other Hawaiian deities, Poli’ahu’s name translates to “White Cloak,” and she is often portrayed as a young woman donning a white cape. Per Hawaiian tradition, it is Poli’ahu who creates the white mantle of snow that blankets the upper sections of the mountain during winter.
As one of the oldest civilizations on the planet, it is of little wonder that China has a deity associated with snow. The legend of the snow goddess Tengliu first appeared in the 7th century during the Tang dynasty and was the focal point of many songs and poems for another thousand years as a symbol of the purity and beauty of snow. Chinese mythology also alludes to the notion that Tengliu brought the beauty of a snowy landscape every winter as gift to humanity.
Any mention of gods or goddesses would not be complete without delving into the Greeks. As the birthplace of Western Civilization, ancient Greece seemingly had deities for everything, and winter/snow was no exception. As the god of the cold north wind and winter, Boreas was frequently depicted as a strong older man with a billowing cloak and an extremely violent temper. The son of Eos and Astraeus, Boreas was elevated to cult-like status in the 5th century B.C.E after he summoned a powerful north wind and destroyed a Persian fleet commanded by Xerxes that was threatening an invasion Greece, according to the writings of Herodotus.
From the frozen tundra of the Arctic to the sandy beaches of the Pacific, the cultures of nearly every region in the world created and worshipped a winter deity. Representing the true power of winter and the snow that comes with it, some of the winter gods and goddesses were depicted as malevolent beings not to be trifled with, whereas others were viewed as friendly overseers of humanity, bringing the gift of snow to those who worshipped them.
Brad Northrup holds an MA and a BA in History and has an affinity for unique stories from the past. His work has appeared in Out There Outdoors since 2013.
