Snowman

A snowman is a character from the snow, the phantom is a human being. Normally, a snowman from three different sizes stacked snowballs, the lower and upper torso and the head is present. As face pebbles or pieces of coal for eyes, a carrot or a branch are mostly used as nose and several small pebbles as a mouth. Often so also gets a snowman a pot or bucket set as a hat on the head. Some people decorate the snowman with a scarf also. Smaller snowballs are attached to the sides to represent the arms and possibly to hold a broom. Sometimes a branch is inserted into the snow globes for each arm. A snowman can be very small, but can be several meters high, depending on the number and size of snow globes.

History

In the Middle Ages a character of that name was still completely unknown. The earliest literary evidence for snow sculptures, there are 16th- century authors such as Shakespeare. Popular was the snowman in the 18th century. In 1770 he appeared in a Leipzig Children 's Songbook for the first time as a concept. Old pictorial representations show him as a personalized winter in quite menacing figure in oversize, looking grim and menacing raised broom, a copper engraving by Daniel Chodowiecke.

In the 19th century gradually changed the setting in the winter, which appeared not only hard and privation. So among pictorial representations winter now increasingly sledding, ice skating and, indeed, snow men who were in the Biedermeier a popular children's book motif. The shape was spherical, the look much friendlier. In 1900 appear snowmen as figures for the Christmas tree.

The image of a friendly winter symbol is strongly influenced late 19th century by the growing popularity of the postcard. Postcard publishers discover the snowman as a motif for Christmas and New Year greetings. Around the same time also sets the advertising industry the snowman reinforced for their purposes a.

Building a snowman

Building a snowman is usually done with a wet snow, so that it sticks and let the balls roll. Subsequent freezing is considered to be low, so that the surface of unthawed snow globes freezes again and the snowman gives more stability. If not enough water is melting, is hurried along with a watering can.

In addition to the classic snowman, other characters, animals, houses, snow lanterns are prepared in the same or similar manner.

The Japanese village Shiramine in Ishikawa Prefecture is known for its Schneemannbauten. Every year in early February, the residents of the village are encouraged to build their own snowman.

Movies

  • A snowman for Africa, DEFA film from 1977
  • Jack Frost, U.S. film comedy from 1998
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