The final piece in my seasons series turning each one into a personified character based in fantasy and mythology, Winter is based on a common depiction of a death goddess, primarily the Russian goddess Morena. Other Slavic countries feature similar goddesses, if not simply variations on her. She’s watching the snowfall, enjoying the cold and ice, the quiet peace of the winter. She is surrounded by dead trees, snow piled on their branches, a determined, yet flat expression on her face. She wears a thick and heavy cloth dress with gold embroidery on it and a gold and crystal crown upon her head, both inspired by the fashion of Russian royals. A sickle made of ice rests upon her arm, her association with the death of crops also being tied to the need for harvest. Her long black hair swirls around her in the wind. Winter has always been seen as something to fear, though nowadays it’s more a mild inconvenience, something to be endured and toiled through with determination. Of course, as humans always do, we’ve found ways to enjoy it, from ice skating and winter holidays, to the simple pleasures of a quiet and peaceful snowfall giving us an excuse to sleep in.