Take a look at 31 awesome photos from December 2014

By ANDREW TAVANI

As the month and the year draw to a close, take a moment to look back at the defining imagery of the year's final weeks. Photos from around the world highlight the season and all of its symbols. Santa and Christmas trees were prevalent, of course, along with wintry scenes, the occasional amusing moments, like Ariana Grande being taken out by a Victoria's Secret model's giant angel wing while performing on stage and the heart-wrenching crisis wrought by rhinoceros poachers in South Africa.

Humans got some serious air, too. Whether it was a matador in Colombia leaping over a charging bull, or a World Cup ski jumper with a breathtaking view in Switzerland, or a somersaulting soccer player in France, people showed off their hops in December -- and cameras were there to capture the moments.

And if winter's chill is already getting to you, be sure to see the last photo of the slide show above. It shows the scene in Rio de Janeiro where a heat wave gripped the famed vacation spot this week.

Until 2015, we bid you adieu. Happy New Year!

More amazing photos of the month:

For 30 amazing photos from November, click here.
For 31 amazing photos from October, click here.
For 30 amazing photos from September, click here.
For 31 amazing photos from August, click here.
For 30 amazing photos from July, click here.
For 30 amazing photos from June, click here.
For 31 amazing photos from May, click here.
For 30 amazing photos from April, click here.
For 31 amazing photos from March, click here.
For 28 amazing photos from February, click here.