frozenfractals | [ooc] references (Reply)

Featuring some very special notes from my sister.

NARROWING DOWN THE TIMEFRAME

As for the year … We know that Frozen is set in the 1840s. It’s tough to say which year specifically (especially since it’s fictional), since the best indicator of time period is the clothing, and there was very little change in fashion in the 1840s. It doesn’t help that a lot of the clothing is heavily influenced by traditional Norwegian bunads, which were commonly worn long before and after the 1840s. Hans’ clothing is our best indicator of time period, since it’s the least traditional and most fashionable. His wide tucked cravat wasn’t fashionable until around 1847, and he definitely wouldn’t have been wearing it before 1845. The same goes for his double-breasted cutaway coat, and (very daringly) fashionable pointed boots. Before 1845, Anna’s skirt would have been narrower (more like Elsa’s) and her sleeves would probably have been more puffed. Around late 1848 to 1849, men’s lapels shrunk, and double-breasted coats went out of style, which means Hans’ coat wouldn’t have been fashionable anymore, and he wouldn’t have that. Around the same time, women’s skirts also started to grow much, much wider. So my best guess is 1846-1848. And July 24, 1827 just happened to be a full moon in Norway.

FASHION AND EMOTIONAL STATE

More about fashion: Elsa’s coronation dress skirt is narrower than Anna’s or anyone else’s for that matter, which is obviously a reflection of the way she’s restraining herself emotionally, but it also means she’s a bit unfashionable and would have looked a little odd to the party guests. Also, it’s interesting that Anna chooses to wear drawers under her clothes. In the 1840s, drawers were only expected to be worn on children of about 7 to 16 years old, and were optional for everyone else. Wearing them at her age would mean she’s either very prudish, a germaphobe, or holding onto childhood.

ZERO RELEVANCE TO OUR GIRLS BUT I NEED IT FOR POSTERITY

I’ve been looking at pictures of Hans for a while and it’s totally obvious he’s in naval uniform now. Like, why did I not see it before? The stripes up the sides of his trousers? Carrying a sword everywhere? That’s not normal civilian dress. Also, the way he’s wearing his uniform is also incredibly late 1840s HOT. The cut of his shirt (high collared), cravat (broad and tucked), waistcoat (double-breasted low-high cut), and coats (cutaway, double-breasted, and two straight tails) are absolutely on trend, and since most men wore square-toed boots until that point, his boots are like, so cutting-edge fashion it hurts. Also, also, also, he styled himself so that, even though he’s looking super fashionable, he’s also looking super casual. As a naval officer/prince/upper class dude he would have been expected to keep his coat buttoned up at all times, but no, he’s rocking the unbuttoned look EVEN AT THE QUEEN’S CORONATION. And when Anna first meets him, he’s wearing casual day dress - especially note that he’s wearing trousers instead of his formal evening breeches - so he’s looking sporty, casual, fashionable, and naval all at once. WOAH...

As a naval officer, a sword would be part of his uniform and he would be expected to carry it at all times. No one else would do that. I’ve been looking through naval uniforms of the 1840s and his doesn’t really match any, especially not the colors. Most naval uniforms war black, navy blue, or red. They probably chose grey and white so he wouldn’t look like anything specific. His hat is similar to British ones though.

...it’s not like there was a Finlaggan navy, so he’d join the British one.

[...]

AS A FASHIONABLE 1840S MAN HANS PROBABLY WORE STAYS and maybe drawers

CHRONOLOGY

DETERMINING ELSA'S BIRTHDAY

So, about Elsa’s birthday … She has her coronation as soon as she turns 21, probably the week if not the day of her birthday, and since Frozen takes place in July, I figure she’s a July baby. The crocus is the official crest of Arendelle and obviously symbolic of Elsa. It also happens to be associated with the sun sign Leo, which begins on the 23rd of July. So I would guess her birthday is between July 23rd - 31st.

TIMELINE

July 24, 1827: Elsa born

fall 1829 to spring 1830: Anna born

1835: Anna injured by Elsa's powers, and her memories wiped by Grand Pabbie

summer 1845: the King and Queen die in a shipwreck

July 26, 1848:
Anna meets Hans

Elsa crowned Queen of Arendelle

Elsa's powers revealed
July 27, 1848: Anna arrives at Elsa's ice palace and is struck in the heart

July 28, 1848: Arendelle thawed

ARENDELLE

ARENDELLE'S ROYAL CREST

The official crest of Arendelle is the crocus, a member of the iris family. They come in a rainbow of colors including purple, yellow, and white, and have six petals, just like snowflakes have six points.

Though they appear delicate, crocuses are actually very hearty flowers which bloom in unlikely places against all odds. They are one of the first flowers to bloom in spring, often blooming before the last winter snow has left the ground. They are able to grow in a variety of climates and landscapes, but they thrive in the cold at high elevations, and can even grow through rocky mountain terrain, and survive harsh mountain winds. In fact, they are so resilient that they will bloom over and over again even if they are cut down. Because of this, some people consider crocuses a weed. But for the same reason, crocuses have long been considered a symbol of victory over struggle, resilience in the face of adversity, survival under severe conditions, strength, hope, and resurrection.

Because they are among the earliest blooming flowers, crocuses are also symbolic of new beginnings, cheerfulness, gladness, the awakening of nature, encouragement, impatience, and the passage into adulthood.

Certain varieties of crocuses have been valued since ancient times as the source of saffron, the most expensive spice in the world. Because of this, crocuses are also associated with wealth, power, and recognition. In addition to being used in cooking, saffron can be made into dye, paint, or ink, and has traditionally been used for medicinal purposes, including the relief of depression.

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