Modern times still echo the motif of The Snow Queen and the Winter pantheon. She has been around for ages, but is being reborn constantly. Disney has recently brought this archetype back into popular culture, just one of many versions in modern times. Whether inspired by Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tale or by the older myths of our ancestors, her image is everywhere. I bet that every bride while modeling her gown imagines herself as the all powerful winter goddess. At least for a minute or a twirl in front of the mirror

My favorite incarnation is from is Joan Vinge’s  science fiction classic “the Snow Queen”. Winner of the Hugo award and more, it is an amazing world built and inspired by both the fairy tale and it’s origins. It featured a plot that hinged on a ritual of the Winter Queen being drowned to make way for summer, just as in the Marzanna traditions.

Presentation in early eighties where I appeared covered by a huge summer Queen mask and flowing cape that then was lifted to reveal the Winter Queen still alive underneath…. A very sultry version with a feather cape pearls and lots of glittery ice.

Notable Snow Queen Adaptations

  1. The Snow Queen, – 1845 fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen
  2. Frozen, – well duh
  3. The Lion the witch and the wardrobe, – classic book with the White witch.
  4. The Snow Queen, – 500 Kingdoms series, 2008 novel by Mercedes Lackey
  5. Kylie Christmas: Snow Queen Edition, – album by Kylie Minogue
  6. The Snow Queen, – Anime, Japan, 2005
  7. The Snow Queen (1957 film), – USSR animation shown globally for 50 years
  8. Sailor Moon, – the Anime movie and seasons both use the storyline.
  9. The Dresden Files, – 20 + books featuring the Winter Queen, Mother winter.