The winter season is a swirl of symbols, memories, and nostalgia. After growing up surrounded by all sorts of images and emblems, one gets accustomed to the ideas of what one believes represents the winter season and holidays. Today, society is full of all sorts of iconic insignias to represent the winter season and beloved winter holidays. However, the meaning behind some of these symbols might shock you.
Winter symbols
The winter season might seem gloomy to some, but to others, it is the time for celebration and homeliness. Senior Benjamin Armstrong says, “When I hear the word ‘winter,’ I usually think of icicles and the way Christmas lights glow and reflect off of the snow at the nighttime.” In fact, the first thing that comes to junior Ava Gonzalez’s mind when thinking of significant winter signs are snowflakes. Even with all of their beauty, snowflakes have a deeper meaning than most realize. According to Symbolsage, “Snowflakes are loved for their intricate designs, which represent individuality, uniqueness, and potential. It’s also a testament to nature’s creativity and stunning beauty.”
Snowflakes are a popular winter logo, but there are more symbols that also represent the winter season. One such emblem is snowmen. Snowmen can be seen everywhere after it snows and are really fun to build and decorate. Symbolsage says, “Snowmen represent playfulness and the joy of winter. But they also represent the fleeting nature of life and the temporariness of all things. The process of building a snowman captures the essence of making the most out of the present moment, knowing it’s ephemeral.” The snow can be loved or hated by many, but the fact remains that in some places, it is crucial when symbolizing the winter. Sophomore Archit Gouda says that he likes the winter season “because of the snow.”
Some other elements that signify the winter season are bare trees, holly, and fireplaces. Bare trees might not be the first thing that comes to mind when imagining winter, but it is still significant, Symbolsage says, “Representing dormancy, reflection, and awaiting renewal, the image of bare trees against a winter sky reminds us of the cycles of life, loss, and regeneration. They stand resilient, promising life’s return after a period of rest.” Once winter is over, the trees that were once bare will start to grow and flourish again as they did before winter.
Another plant that is significant to winter is holly. According to Symbolsage, “An evergreen that persists even in the coldest months, holly represents protection and rebirth. Its bright berries amidst dark green leaves often serve as a beacon of hope during winter’s darkest days. It’s also a plant that doesn’t day, remaining green throughout winter and so it’s associated with all things positive.” Many things that are spotted in nature during the winter are often considered significant when representing the coldest season of the year.
However, not all winter logos are found in nature. Fireplaces are an important symbol that represents the homeliness and comfort that can still be found during the winter. Symbolsage says, “Beyond their functional warmth, fireplaces embody the essence of home, comfort, community, and gathering. They offer shelter from the cold, places where stories are shared and bonds are strengthened. Fireplaces are also used in winter to symbolize the return of warmer and brighter days.” The winter season can be represented by both the warmth of fireplaces, or the cold from the snow and ice. However, no matter how winter is represented, the fact remains that no matter where you are in the world, everyone has a different visualization of the winter season.
Christmas Symbols
Christmas is a winter holiday that originated from the Christian religion. When it comes to Christmas symbols, there are both religious and emotional meanings. The most iconic Christmas insignia is the Christmas tree. According to Parade, “Evergreens have been used in winter festivals for centuries by both pagans and Christians, with Christians believing the trees represent the birth and resurrection of Jesus and their everlasting life with God.” Since evergreen trees survive all year long, it is no wonder that many religions use evergreens to symbolize an important aspect of their religion. Another important Christmas emblem is what many people use to top their Christmas tree: a star. Parade says, “One of the holiday’s more religious symbols, the Christmas star represents the bright star that shone brightly over the town of Bethlehem on the night that Jesus Christ was born. …The Christmas Star has also come to represent hope and peace.” Just like how many people use stars to guide them or give them hope, the Christmas star represents that hope and guidance.
Another significant item that is used to represent Christmas are bells. Parade says, “A ringing of a bell during the Christmas season represents happiness for Christ’s birth. Also, like the ringing bell used to herd errant sheep back into the fold, the Christmas bell signifies that Jesus is always watching over us and protecting us.” Not only can a bell’s ringing be magnificent, but so can the meaning behind this special item.
Another Christmas symbol that is particularly enjoyable since it is a delectable treat is the candy cane. According to Parade, “Shaped like a shepherd’s staff, the minty confection represents the shepherds who searched for Jesus on the night that he was born.” Regardless of the meaning behind candy canes, people of any religion can enjoy eating these minty treats.
The final Christmas emblem is color, specifically the colors red and green. Parade says, “The Christmas colors of red and green aren’t arbitrary. The crimson shade of red associated with Christmas symbolizes the blood that was shed by Jesus Christ during his crucifixion. The color green- the hue of evergreen plants like pine trees, holly, and mistletoe that retain their leaves throughout the winter- represents Jesus Christ’s everlasting life.” Due to the popularity of Christmas, many of us take on the images or items without even realizing their meanings. However, no matter the meaning behind these symbols, they always have been and always will be associated with Christmas.
Hanukkah Symbols
Hannukah is a Jewish holiday celebrated during the winter. Freshman Andrea Kassner- Esquenazi celebrates Hannukah. What reminds her of this holiday are dreidels, latkes, and jelly doughnuts. She believes that these symbols are necessary in representing Hannukah because “they are the traditions I grew up with. They give me comfort.” In Hannukah, there are many important insignias that are commonly associated with Hannukah. Arguably, the most iconic logo in Hannukah is the menorah (or the hanukkiah). According to My Jewish Learning, “The Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is designed to evoke the menorah that stood in the Temple 2,000 years ago. The Temple menorah had seven branches, a central branch flanked by three on each side. Most hanukkiahs mimic this design with a central branch flanked by four branches on each side, the eight side branches symbolizing the eight days that the oil miraculously burned as well as the eight days of celebration. The central flame is called the shamash candle.” The hanukkiah is meant to replicate and represent the menorah that was used in the miracle 2,000 years ago.
Another iconic Hannukah symbol is the dreidel. My Jewish Learning says, “Around the world, most dreidels have the following four Hebrew letters: nun, gimmel, hey, shin. This stands for the Hebrew phrase nes gadol haya sham, which means ‘a great miracle happened there.’” The dreidel is used during Hannukah as a means for entertainment and remembrance of the past.
Besides entertainment, there are tons of food that represent Hannukah as well! My Jewish Learning says, “Because of the miracle of the oil, it is traditional for Jews to eat fried foods on Hanukkah. The two most popular in the Ashkenazi community are latkes — a fried potato pancake — and jelly donuts (in Hebrew: sufganiyot). Sephardic Jews enjoy a plethora of other fried treats like bimuelos and sfenj.”
Amongst all of the Hannukah emblems, one of them is the most related to Judaism itself: the Star of David. My Jewish Learning says, “This is not really a Hanukkah symbol but a Jewish symbol that gets a lot of play during the Hanukkah season, perhaps to differentiate Hanukkah from Christmas in countries where that holiday is widely celebrated.” Even though the Star of David might not really be an emblem for Hannukah, it is still essential when representing Judaism. According to Britannica, “The star was almost universally adopted by Jews in the 19th-century as a striking and simple emblem of Judaism in imitation of the cross of Christianity.” There are many more insignias out there that can be used to represent Hannukah, but these are the main ones that should be known and respected.
Kwanzaa Symbols
One popular holiday celebrated during the winter season is Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is a winter holiday meant to commemorate African culture and heritage. In Kwanzaa, there are seven main insignias that are used to represent the holiday and African principles. The first Kwanzaa symbol is the mkeka (m-kay-cah). According to Howstuffworks, “This is the mat (usually made of straw, but it can also be made of fabric or paper) upon which all the other Kwanzaa symbols are placed. The mat represents the foundation of African traditions and history.” Every holiday icon is built off of a foundation and in this case, the mkeka is the root of Kwanzaa and its emblems.
Another key Kwanzaa item is the mazao (maah-zow) which are the crops used to honor African harvest celebrations and the laborers.
The third symbol used to represent Kwanzaa is the kinara (kee-nah-rah) which is the candle holder which holds seven candles and symbolizes where all African ancestors came from.
The fourth Kwanzaa emblem is mishumaa (mee-shoo-mah). Howstuffworks says, “In the seven candles, each candle represents one of the seven principles. The candles are red, green, and black — symbolic of the African people and their struggles.” It is really important for people to honor and remember hardships that their people have gone through in order to look towards a brighter future for their community.
The fifth-most significant Kwanzaa logo is the muhindi (moo-heen-dee). Howstuffworks says, “The corn represents African children and the promise of their future. One ear of corn is set out for each child in the family. In a family without children, one ear is set out symbolically to represent the children of the community.”
The sixth insignia used to represent Kwanzaa is the kikombe cha umoja (kee-com-bay chah-oo-moe-jah). Howstuffworks describes the kikombe cha umoja as “The Unity Cup symbolizes the first principle of Kwanzaa — the unity of family and of the African people. The cup is used to pour the libation (water, juice or wine) for family and friends.”
The final emblem is the zawadi (sah-wah-dee). The zawadi are the gifts that symbolize the hard work of the parents and the blessings for their children. The gifts are educational and generally come in the form of books, art pieces, or educational toys. All of the figures that are used to represent Kwanzaa each has its own special meaning and African principle. Kwanzaa is a time to celebrate Africa’s past, present, and future using all sorts of memorable and significant images.
When it comes to winter, everyone expects different images to be the representation of winter. Gonzalez says that society values Christmas trees. Gouda says that Christmas trees, stockings, fireplaces, and just stuff that reminds you of homeliness is what society holds in regard to winter. Kassner-Esquenazi says, “Christmas trees and stuff like that. I don’t like it because it overshadows other holidays.” Meanwhile, Armstrong says, “I think today it’s like overall Christmas decorations or just in general, like having bright lights and Christmas parades just like with what they do in Bellevue every year, stuff like that.” In society, the most popular symbols are the ones that are iconic with the majority of the population. In order to advertise the winter season, society and media uses insignias specifically related to Christmas. Gouda says, “Overtime because of Christian migration and a cultural melting point, it’s become important to many people.”
There are many holidays that are celebrated in the world during the winter season. Along with those holidays come many different emblems that embody them. Kassner-Esquenazi says, “Nothing should be considered iconic. We should focus on everyone’s winter traditions and respect them.” Although everyone has different opinions and perspectives on how the winter season and winter holidays are represented, it is society that determines how popular certain holidays and logos are. In the end, it does not matter how many people celebrate a holiday or not because every symbol and celebration is important to different people.
