We all know about vampires and werewolves, or at least we think we do. The legends and myths that inspired these monsters are sometimes surprisingly different, but no less chilling. In this series of posts, Monster Monday, we’ll investigate the monsters that have informed our modern notions, as well as some lesser known monsters. Today, we talk about Jack Frost.

In European folklore, Jack Frost is the personification of cold winter weather. He is often made responsible for snowstorms, and is thought to leave the fern-like patterns of frost that are often seen on windows on cold winter mornings.

Despite being responsible for freezing cold weather, Jack Frost is often depicted as a carefree spirit who only wants to do as he pleases and may play pranks on people by “nipping their noses.” He is often friendly, though if angered he can kill his victims by covering them in snow or turning them to frost.

He is sometimes depicted as an older man, but often he is seen as a young adult or even a teenager.