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Legendary 'green men' a real draw

11.05.11

Over the years I have collected a handful of carved faces for my garden and home, and taken dozens of photographs of others in Europe - all "green men."

The green man is a legendary figure usually depicted as a man's face with foliage growing out of his head. Or it instead may have leaves for hair and a beard. Each is carved from stone or wood, with ivy coming from the ears, mouth and nose.

Unlike bottle trees, which hail from early Arabian folklore (remember the genie from Aladdin's magic lamp?), no one really knows the origin of the green man.

Though centuries-old carved foliate figures have been found in the Middle East and Asia, most of the very old ones I have come across are in churches built hundreds of years ago in Europe. They are usually hidden in plain sight; though they may be used in ceiling buttresses or carved into the sides or backs of choir chairs, it usually takes a searching eye to find the discreet symbols.

Also known in England as Green Jack, Green George and Jack-in-the-Green - and associated with John Barleycorn and even Robin Hood - he usually represents the spirits that live in plants, especially vines and trees. Though usually connected around the world with resurrection, he is also credited with bringing rain to crops.

Source: Jackson Clarion Ledger

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