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Monday 22 October 2012

The Green Man

The Green Man was seen at the Harvest Festival in Southwark yesterday.  Who is the Green Man and when did he first appear? That I don't know, but he does appear in many cultures and all around the world. It is thought he represents rebirth or regeneration. 

Hmm what's he doing in autumn then,shouldn't he arrive in the spring.  Maybe he is just disappearing again into the woods from whence he came.  There are so many tales of the Green Man, one I heard was that he was Robin Hood. 

What tales do you know?

15 comments:

Nori Katayama said...

curious! :)

Stefan Jansson said...

Ha.
I think he originates from India.

biebkriebels said...

Never heard of a Green Man, I don't know the story behind it. But he looks really green indeed.

Angie said...

And there was I expecting to see a pic of a pub!! Wonder how long it took him to strip off?

Sharon said...

I have a friend who collects "green men" of all shapes and sizes. He would have enjoyed seeing him in person.

Lowell said...

I've talked to a number of medical professionals about this and they tell me he ate too many avocados.

Oakland Daily Photo said...

Don't know any tales of the Greenman, but I love the image of him mounted in the roman baths in Bath.

Jack said...

This green man has a fine costume. I have a few ceramic "green man" masks hanging from the wall of my porch, near the garden.

G said...

Some people believe the Green Man is an aspect of the old Greek god, Baachus, as a god of regeneration and renewal. Then there's the Arthurian story of the Green Knight who could not be killed and who is generally thought to be inspired by the Green Man legend. Other possible versions of the Green Man include John Barleycorn, from the old folksong, and Jack-in-the-Green who traditionally preceeds the May Queen during May Day celebrations. :)

Gerald (SK14) said...

The green man is a pagan concept - how he manages to infiltrate a harvest festival i don't know - well i do know but that would take too long - the concept that he had something to do with robin hood is another case of the hollywood way of burying history in myth although the methodology goes back beyond tudor playwrights.

Babzy.B said...

A new character for me :) i like his costume and make up !

Angelika said...

Great portrait! Very arty. Now what does the Green Man have to do with cheese?

Jenny Woolf said...

I did a piece once on Jack in the Green, another "green" folk figure. You probably saw it but it's here.
http://jennywoolftravel.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/jack-in-green.html

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

His blue eyes are rather startling!

margaret said...

One of the very best Green Men I've ever seen!

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