It is no coincidence that the Russian winter, with its generous snowfalls and bitter frosts, has become one of the symbols of Russia. The Slavs have long loved the winter and expressed it in numerous folk proverbs, sayings, and riddles. The beauty of winter has always been admired by Russian poets and artists.
Beautiful Poems About Russian Winter
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Our distant ancestors pictured winter as a big strong woman, a severe sovereign wearing a bearskin fur coat and wolfskin top boots. She commanded snowfalls and snowdrifts, blizzards and snowstorms, winds and severe frosts.
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“Winter will ask what is in store from summer”, - an old Russian proverb goes. Indeed, it was of vital importance to prepare thoroughly for wintertime, because “one day of summer feeds you all winter through”. Fruits, vegetables, herbs, berries and mushrooms harvested in summer and preserved for winter were not only delicacies in winter, but also a remedy for illnesses.
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However, the favorite winter fun of the Russians - sleigh rides - fell right on frosty days, when the bright sun illuminated the sparkling snow-covered fields and forests!
 

There is a Russian proverb: "In the winter cold – nobody is old”. Indeed, the winter spirit invigorates, causing the cheeks to glow and the eyes to shine. The most severe frosts, according to popular observations, came after January 24th in Russia. It was then that the owners took special care of their livestock, making sure that it was kept warm and full-bellied.
The Russians have always respected the snow: “Thank you, frost, for bringing snow”, “Snow drifts on the fields - the grain harvest in the bins”, “Though the snow is cold, it shelters from frost”. In the olden days, people in the know referred to the snow as peasant wealth and rejoiced if high snow drifts reliably covered crops from the cold.
 

And when it was freezing outdoors, the villagers of olden days would arrange cozy gatherings. In the long winter evenings, both old and young got together in one house. Girls brought handicrafts with them: they embroidered, wove, sewed, spun, and knitted. 
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