personification (anthropomorphism)

(a) Attributing human physical forms or qualities to entities which are not human. (b) Artistic representation of an abstract quality or idea as if it were a person.

 

For example:

  • Love breaks free of its chains
  • Autumn sits carelessly on the floor
  • Justice is blind
  • The window winked at me
  • leaves stuck out like arms out of the stem
 
Differs slightly from its near relation the pathetic fallacy in that a personified idea, object or animal need not express intentions, passions or desires.