The changing seasons in various cultures often have mythological explanations rooted in agriculture and fertility. In Greek mythology, the story of Demeter and her daughter Persephone explains the cycle as Demeter mourns in winter when Persephone is in the underworld, causing the earth to become barren. This duality highlights the connection between life, death, and rebirth, common themes across many cultures, such as the Maori story of the goddess Hine-nui-te-po, embodying similar seasonal shifts.