Happy New Years, Travellers! There are very few New Year’s stories or folktales that I could find, but I became fixated on King Frost, also known as Father Frost. I wanted to uncover the origins of the character- his stories, his symbolism, and anything else I could find. This research led me to Snegurochka, the Snow Maiden.

I did recently release our first episode of 2026 which was the “King Frost and the Snow Maiden” so as a call back to that episode, I have here the first episode of 2025 which was also about the Snow Maiden. At the time of the 2025 episode, I had written both scripts, but found myself drawn more to the tale of the Snow Maiden as a faerie play than as a recounting of the Good Daughter / Bad Daughter trope. 

This Russian folktale has many different iterations, and the Snow Maiden herself is thought to be a 19th-century addition to the stories of Ded Moroz, a legendary figure traditionally known as Father Frost or Old Man Frost. After the Russian Revolution, his association with Christmas was banned, and he became a New Year figure instead- appearing alongside the Snow Maiden.

Here is where we have to unravel a twisted tale. So, the Snow Maiden story is attributed to Alexander Afanasyev, but while researching, I found his version differed from the King Frost stories. It is the tale written by Mikhail Maksimovich that resembles what we now consider the “Snow Maiden” story type. Usually, these stories are based on a childless couple creating a snowchild that comes to life and then they lose her in some senseless way. 

Our version of the story comes from a folk play written by Aleksandr Ostrovsky, who may have been inspired by both earlier Russian writers as well as Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué’s fairy-tale novella Undine, which features a supernatural water spirit gaining a human soul. The cartoon version of the play can be watched below.

For anyone who wants a deep dive into the logistics of Ostrovsky’s play, I highly recommend Victoria Kononova’s dissertation for the University of Wisconsin-Madison titled “From “Senseless Fancy” to National Legend” which tracks the reviews of Ostrovsky’s play to those of later iterations and operas. The opera version by Nikolai Rimsky‐Korsakov can be found here.

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Father Frost and the Spring Queen

Long ago, Spring had a secret affair with Father Frost. From their union came a beautiful, fragile child known as Snegurochka, the Snow Maiden. She had been born with a heart of pure ice, and her parents feared what would happen if it were to thaw. However, they had bigger problems. It soon came to pass that, despite their best efforts, the Sun God Yarilo heard of their affair and resolved to punish their child for her very existence. So great was his anger that the seasons in the land of the Berendeyans went amok, and winters grew longer as Yarilo refused to bring sunshine upon Spring.

It was lonely, and soon she grew curious about life outside of the woods. Eventually, she convinced her parents to let her hide amongst the mortals, and she promised profusely never to let her heart thaw or walk into direct sunlight.

The only question remaining was to find a couple worthy of their daughter.

A Snow Child

It just so happened that in a town not far away, there lived a woodcutter and his wife who had always longed for children but had never had any of their own. On a cold, dreary day, they were in the woods cutting logs when the woodcutter suggested they make a snow child to amuse themselves.

The couple rolled snow and laughed as they had when they were young, and soon there stood a lovely maiden made of snow before them. The woodcutter looked over at his old wife, who was smiling sadly at the snow, and his heart grew tight with the thought of her being left completely alone after his eventual passing, with no child to bring her comfort.

Their deep sadness and desperate hearts sang out to Spring, who worked her magic in an instant. She secretly thawed the snow until, standing before the couple, was the daughter of Frost and Spring. Her eyes twinkled as she took in her adoptive parents. Speaking warmly, she told them not to be afraid and promised she would be a dutiful and good daughter to them in their old age if they would only take her in. Without questioning their blessing, the old couple rejoiced and took her cold hands in theirs as they brought her home to warm herself by the fire.

Even in the middle of a terrible winter, no house was as alive with warmth and love as the old couple’s wooden hut. The Snow Maiden helped them with their chores, sat with them by the fire, and was as kind as she was beautiful. However, one thing worried the couple.

A Heart as Cold as Ice

The Snow Maiden was not very talkative, and although she smiled radiantly as she sat with them, her face was always pale, her hands were always cold, and she kept a guarded heart.

One day, almost two months after the Snow Maiden had entered their lives, the old woman sat her down and gently asked why she was so shy. Did she not want to go out and find others her age? Although they adored her company, a young woman should also spend time with those her own age.

At first, the Snow Maiden replied that she was happy just being with them, but soon Carnival came to town, and the Snow Maiden could let fear hold her back no longer. Bundled up and making sure the clouds were blocking the sun, the Snow Maiden made her way into town. Everyone had heard of the mysterious girl living with the childless woodcutter, but no one had ever caught sight of her.

An Offer from a Gentleman – Sorta

You see, with Kupava being spoken for, all the boys in the village quickly became infatuated with the mysterious Snow Maiden. However, each one quickly changed his mind when he realized how cold she was. Although she smiled brightly, danced radiantly, and was beautiful to look upon, there was also something detached and unfeeling about her. She guarded her heart so well that none felt love for her in turn.

One fateful day- the day of Kupava and Mizgir’s engagement celebration- the newly returned Mizgir spotted the soft, pale beauty that was the Snow Maiden, and his heart felt as if it had never been loved before.

After that, it was as if Kupava had turned into a haggard crow before him. She was too heavy, too loud, too crass, too dark, too unpleasant. He found her passion annoying and longed for the quiet nature of the Snow Maiden. Throughout the night, the once-happy couple quarreled until Mizgir declared that he could never marry Kupava and left.

Heartbroken, Kupava expected to hear news of him leaving town for the capital, but to her disbelief, she heard that the scoundrel hadn’t left at all. Instead, rumors swirled that he had been spending time at the woodcutter’s hut with the Snow Maiden. Kupava grew bitter and angry- not just at her fickle former fiancé, but at the betrayal by the Snow Maiden, a girl whom Kupava had helped, unknowingly bringing the viper into her own home.

She stormed to the Snow Maiden’s hut and hurled such insults and accusations that the woodcutter indignantly asked her to leave. Before she did, Kupava screamed that she would go to the Tsar and have the Snow Maiden tried for being a homewrecker.

Council with the King

Her threats were not empty. Kupava went to Tsar Berendei and begged him to intervene. Mizgir had compromised her, cast her aside, and refused to marry her, all because he had been bewitched by another. She described the appearance of the mysterious girl and insisted that something strange was happening. To add to her wounds, the snake had waited until her engagement party to seduce her disgusting fiancé.

It was a serious accusation to make, so the Tsar had Mizgir brought before him. The merchant admitted to his crimes, but when the Tsar asked whether Kupava would forgive him and still marry him, Mizgir replied that he could never love anyone but the Snow Maiden. To her credit, Kupava added that she had nothing but scorn for the wretched man anyway.

As punishment, the Tsar declared that Mizgir would be exiled and sent to live among the savage wolves and their savage hearts. Crestfallen, Mizgir pleaded with the Tsar, saying that if he could just see the Snow Maiden, the Tsar would understand everything.

So the Tsar ordered that the Snow Maiden be brought to the castle. The envoys returned with a beautiful but quiet girl. It was an intimidating scene: the pale, silver-clad Snow Maiden surrounded by vibrant colors.

The Tsar’s Test

After some thought and consultation with his advisors, the Tsar declared that, to appease the god, the Snow Maiden would have to give up her coldness and choose a suitor to thaw her icy heart.

Having no idea how to love, the Snow Maiden tried to decline, saying she had never once felt love. No one made her heart flutter; she never waited breathlessly for anyone, and she never felt like laughing deliriously or kissing anyone.

The Tsar grew even more convinced that the cause of Yarilo’s rage lay with this cold maiden and her unloving heart. He called for the most passionate suitors to step forward and try their hand at wooing her.

A Poor Shepard Boy and the Snow Maiden

From among them, Lel, a young shepherd, was pushed forward, and Mizgir begged for a chance as well. The Tsar accepted both and decreed that they would all go into the sacred woods that night and spend the evening with sweet songs and dances, to show Yarilo how full of love and light they were.

So the youth gathered that night, and Lel’s remarkable song enchanted every maiden present. His song even touched the Snow Maiden’s icy heart, and she yearned to feel a love as deep as the others. However, the Tsar was not heartless and allowed Lel to choose his bride from among the maidens. Lel hesitated before the hopeful Snow Maiden but was inexplicably drawn to someone unexpected- Kupava and her fiery passion.

He stepped past the Snow Maiden and took Kupava’s hand, leading her out to dance. Kupava was as surprised as anyone, but her eyes filled with tears of joy. By choosing her and loving her despite her ruin, Lel restored her honor and saved her from a life of misery. As the two kissed and gazed at each other lovingly, the Snow Maiden watched and felt her heart harden painfully. She had never known love before, and she had lost it as soon as she had gained it.

Distraught, the Snow Maiden hid among the bushes and wept at her own inability to love as couples formed around her. She felt humiliated. Lel wanted someone who could love him- someone warmer, someone more alive.

A Misguided Love Affair

She fled into the trees, wandering aimlessly. As she did, Mizgir emerged from behind her and seized her hand. With Lel choosing another bride, Mizgir was certain the Snow Maiden would now be his. But to his disbelief, she tore her hand away and told him to keep his jewels and riches. She had no use for him, and even with a heart that longed for love, it still did not want his.

Refusing to accept her rejection, Mizgir grabbed her again, proclaiming that she would be his. Here, the story grows stranger still. As the Snow Maiden struggled, a faun appeared and seized Mizgir, giving her time to escape. It then transformed itself into a dead tree, trapping Mizgir beneath it. When Mizgir tried to free himself and pursue her, the faun called out for him to wait. Ignoring the warning, Mizgir escaped and staggered after the Snow Maiden. Sighing deeply, the faun transformed into an apparition of the Snow Maiden and led Mizgir on a wild chase through the woods.

A Heart is a Heavy Burden

Meanwhile, the Snow Maiden ran through the trees, crying out to her mother. She begged Spring to give her a heart like others- to let her love, or to let her die. Spring heard her daughter’s pleas and emerged, flowers blooming where she stood. As the Snow Maiden wept, Spring felt her resolve weaken. She embraced her trembling daughter and granted her wish, removing the protections that had kept her heart cold and allowing warmth to flow through it. Spring kissed her daughter’s forehead and urged her to hurry home, warning her to remain hidden from the Sun God. With one last look, Spring faded away, leaving the Snow Maiden alone with her heart pounding in her chest.

At that moment, Mizgir burst into the clearing and was startled to see the Snow Maiden gazing at him with warm, loving eyes and open arms. It was love at first sight- for her, literally- and she wept tears of joy as she embraced him. She told him she loved him and that her heart was his, but he must help her hide from Yarilo forever. Mizgir readily agreed, and together they raced against dawn to return to the Tsar’s feast.

When they reached the great meadow, the weary Tsar welcomed them warmly. Many couples had paired off during the celebration, and the Tsar rejoiced at the promise of a fruitful spring. Mizgir led the Snow Maiden before the Tsar and asked for his blessing. Warily, the Tsar confirmed that she had chosen Mizgir of her own free will and with her own heart.

A Sacrifice for Spring

As the Snow Maiden proclaimed her love for Mizgir, dawn broke. Rays of golden light flooded the sky, and one fell upon her. For a moment, the light danced across her skin and made her glow.

Then, in the blink of an eye, the rays of the sun claimed the Snow Maiden, whose icy heart had now fully thawed. The onlookers watched in horror as nothing remained of the beautiful maiden, and Mizgir, driven mad with grief, raged against the gods before throwing himself from a cliff to follow her into the afterlife.

But all was not lost. Yarilo-Sun was satisfied at last. Having destroyed the child of Spring and Frost, he restored the seasons to balance. And so the people once more celebrated the peace of the seasons- and the sacrifice of the Snow Maiden.

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So, what do you think? Is this tale simply a story about a stupid king and his stupid subjects as one reviewer put it? Or a Western play dressed up as an old Russian tale as another did when he compared Ostrovsky’s faerie play to Shakespeare’s Midsummer’s Night Dream. The bad reviews truly are spectacular and so it comes as a shock that Rimsky-Korsakov’s opera and the Snow Maiden later became seen as Russian cultural icons. 

Winter and Spring often come with sacrifices, especially those of women if we look back to the stories of Persephone and Inanna. We do also have the Oak King and the Holly King, but that’s a tale for the solstice.

We can’t wait to share more stories with you for the new year!