A northwind is a wind that originates in the north and blows in a southward direction. The north wind has had historical and literal significance, since it often signals cold weather and seasonal change in the Northern hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, especially in southern Australia, the north wind is a hot wind which often leads to bushfires.
Mythology
In Greek mythology, Boreas was the god of the north wind and bringer of cold winter air.
In Inuit mythology, Negagfok represents "the North Wind” or, more eloquently, “the spirit that likes cold and stormy weather."
The North wind plays a part in the Norwegian fable, "East of the sun and west of the moon", as the only wind capable of helping a woman fly to the titular location to find her husband.
The wind plays an important role in another Norwegian folktale, "The Lad who went to the North Wind", giving the lad a tablecloth that produces food, a donkey that produces gold, and a stick that beats a person on command.
Modern literature
In George MacDonald's children's novelAt the Back of the North Wind, the title character, in the form of a beautiful woman, appears to a boy named Diamond and takes him on a series of nightly journeys.
Oscar Wilde's fairy taleThe Selfish Giant personifies the North Wind as a man who "was wrapped in furs, and he roared all day about the garden, and blew the chimney-pots down".
In the second generation of the Pokémon games, Suicune is said to be the incarnation of the north winds.
Winter's Child, Cameron Dokey's novel adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, "The Snow Queen", cites the North Wind as the main factor in the Snow Queen's transformation from a mortal to the titular Winter Child.
In "The Prophet", Lebanese poet Kahlil Gibran compares love to the north wind, saying it destroys our dreams as the wind destroys a garden:
"When love beckons to you, follow him, Though his ways are hard and steep. And when his wings enfold you yield to him, Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you. And when he speaks to you believe in him, Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden."
Music
Jim Croce's song, titled "I Got a Name", references the North Wind in the verse: "Like the North Wind whistling down the sky, I got a song."
Cher's song, titled "Thunderstorm", references the North Wind in the verse: "I swear I heard the North Wind call your name."
Gordon Lightfoot's ballad, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald", references the North Wind in the verse: "Could it be the north wind they'd been feeling?"
Carol King's song "You've Got a Friend" references the North Wind in the verse: "And that old north wind should begin to blow."
Evan Rachel Wood's song, titled "All Is Found" which is from Frozen 2, references the North Wind in the verse: "Where the North Wind meets the sea, there's a river full of memory. "
