My boyfriend hates the cold. He’ll bundle up in all sorts of clothes, and at one point, had me wear his own clothes just to make sure I was warm. We’d talk about which season was better, which would, more often than not, end with us dropping the issue altogether. However, I thrive in the cold. I like the aesthetic and the ice, and the sharp coldness that makes it so easy to focus. This particular idea is very important, considering the fact I have school.

For centuries, winter has been a celebrated season. From kids squealing in delight at the first snowfall, to the charming lights the holidays have on show, winter offers much of what we enjoy. But to writers and artists, winter represents so much more. Whether that be the end of a life, or the decadence that follows after, the season has a lot of poetic significance to it, some of which is listed below. 

The End of Life, and the Beginning of a New One

Winter is towards the end of the year. It allows us to get ready for the new year while bidding farewell to the old. It helps us praise ourselves for the things we’ve done, berate ourselves for what we could’ve done better, and reminisce on the memories we cherish. Because in the end, winter represents death. Because all the trees are bare, and everything slows down. The vibrancy must stop and the earth must rest to get ready for another year of hard work, if only for a brief time. 

The Contradictions 

Ironically enough, winter, just like autumn, has its fair share of contradictions. The snow that accompanies winter is usually soft. It reminds us of comfort and is gentle in our eyes. However, there’s also the potential that the snow could become a snowstorm or even a blizzard. There’s the added risk of there being ice on the roads. This contradiction is important, especially since it relates to human emotions. Oftentimes, we switch from happiness to despair in the blink of an eye. However, beyond that, our emotions can also leave something beautiful behind, lessons to be learned, even rewards to be reaped. These rewards are similar to the ice crystals usually frozen outside, or the patterns on a snowflake once it's fallen from the sky. 

The Hearth 

Winter is a time for warmth and fireplaces. There’s something inviting about sitting near a fireplace with your loved ones. There’s a certain magic to hearing your loved ones’ laughter as you’re all trying to stay warm. The fire, in particular, represents life and nourishment. It’s used for cooking and hot chocolate and all sorts of other things that we need for human life. As for the people around you? Think of them as a hearth, one that helps you warm up in your time of need. 

Winter is a beloved season that’s been mentioned many times in both art and literature. More than that, it has a hauntingly calming quality to it, one that many people have noticed. Despite its association with death, it is also a celebration of many things in life, regardless of the ice and the cold. After all, in Frozen’s Elsa’s words, the cold never bothered us anyway.