Name Meaning
Yuki-onna (雪女) means “snow woman” in Japanese. This yokai is a famous figure in winter tales across Japan.
- Yuki (雪) = snow
- Onna (女) = woman
Origin
- Common in snowy mountain regions like Tōhoku and Niigata.
- Appears in Edo period folktales and kaidan (ghost stories).
- Sometimes associated with women who died in snowstorms.
Appearance
- A stunningly beautiful woman with long black hair and white skin.
- Wears a white kimono and often floats instead of walking.
- Her breath freezes her victims, and she can vanish in snow.
Behavior & Myths
- Often kills travelers lost in snowstorms with her icy breath.
- Sometimes spares the young or those who show kindness.
- Can appear as a wife who hides her true nature until betrayed.
Symbolism
- Represents the deadly beauty and solitude of winter.
- A symbol of tragic love and the impermanence of life.
- Seen as both a monster and a mournful spirit.
