The Green Man

The tradition of The Green Man, portraying a human face amongst or a part of leaves or vegitation is very old in Northern Europe. It seems to be linked to when the Romans invaded the Celtic and Germanic lands as the native art was know for complicated twisting and knotting forms of vegitation.  They are often found by church doors or on chancel screens or very hidden in corner carvings so that they are a surprise when seen.  The tradition of the green man was that of a giant who lived in the woods, wearing nothing but a suit of leaves with shaggy hair and a beard.  He was often associated with the change and transformation symbolised by the vegetation and allusions to the seasonal cycles of nature.  There is even a Green Man Festival.