Also, an association of the green man image with the incarnation of Christ was suggested to be demonstrated by the expressions on the face: where carved representations of the Virgin Mary appear nearby, the green men are shown with happy expressions. [16]

From the Renaissance onward, elaborate variations on the Green Man theme, often with animal heads rather than human faces, appear in many media other than carvings (including manuscripts, metalwork, bookplates, and stained glass). They seem to have been used for purely decorative effect rather than reflecting any deeply held belief. Varner, Gary R. (2006). The Mythic Forest, the Green Man and the Spirit of Nature. New York: Algora. p.103. ISBN 9780875864358. Usually referred to in art history as foliate heads or foliate masks, representations of the Green Man take many forms, but most just show a "mask" or frontal depiction of a face, which in architecture is usually in relief. The simplest depict a man's face peering out of dense foliage. Some may have leaves for hair, perhaps with a leafy beard. Often leaves or leafy shoots are shown growing from his open mouth and sometimes even from the nose and eyes as well. In the most abstract examples, the carving at first glance appears to be merely stylised foliage, with the facial element only becoming apparent on closer examination. The face is almost always male; green women are rare. Lady Raglan coined the term "Green Man" for this type of architectural feature in her 1939 article The Green Man in Church Architecture in The Folklore Journal. [5] It is thought that her interest stemmed from carvings at St. Jerome's Church in Llangwm, Monmouthshire. [6] Perhaps the importance of ancient treescapes in our history accounts for their depiction in the places of worship.Braudy, Leo (Oct 25, 2016). Haunted: On Ghosts, Witches, Vampires, Zombies, and Other Monsters of the Natural and Supernatural Worlds. Yale University Press. p.277. ISBN 978-0300224726 . Retrieved 28 September 2017. a b c Araneo, Phyllis (2006). Green Man Resurrected: An Examination of the Underlying Meanings and Messages of the Re-Emergence of the Ancient Image of the Green Man in Contemporary, Western, Visual Culture (MCA thesis). Queensland, Australia.: University of the Sunshine Coast. doi: 10.4227/39/596566fcfaf95. MacDermott, Mercia. Explore Green Men, Explore Books, Heart of Albion Press (September 2003) ISBN 1-872883-66-4 Others include Jane Brideson, Australian artist Marjorie Bussey, American artist Monica Richards, and English fantasy artist Peter Pracownik, whose artwork has appeared in several media, including full-body tattoos. [10]

The Green Man motif has many variations. Branches or vines may sprout from the mouth, nostrils, or other parts of the face, and these shoots may bear flowers or fruit. Found in many cultures from many ages around the world, the Green Man is often related to natural vegetation deities. Often used as decorative architectural ornaments, where they are a form of mascaron or ornamental head, Green Men are frequently found in architectural sculpture on both secular and ecclesiastical buildings in the Western tradition. In churches in England, the image was used to illustrate a popular sermon describing the mystical origins of the cross of Jesus. covered by foliage, very often sprouting from their mouths. He is often found carved in wood or stone in medieval churches and cathedrals. Green Man" type foliate heads first appeared in England during the early 12th century deriving from those of France, and were especially popular in the Gothic architecture of the 13th to 15th centuries. The idea that the Green Man motif represents a pagan mythological figure, as proposed by Lady Raglan in 1939, despite its popularity with the lay public, is not supported by evidence. [1] [3] [4] Types [ edit ] 6th-century Byzantine mosaic in the Great Palace Mosaic Museum, Istanbul. What we also find however in some of the earlier tales is that Robin Hood and Little John – like Jesus and John the Baptist – were equals. Walter Bower, in the 15th century, said that Robin Hood together with Little John and their companies rose to prominence. Larrington, Carolyne (2015). The Land of the Green Man: A Journey Through the Supernatural Landscapes of the British Isles. I.B.Tauris. p.227. ISBN 978-1780769912.

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He is also green like the ‘Green Man,’ which is the special healing color attributed to many things surrounding the serpent cult — such as the Emerald Tablet, the color of initiation into Gnostic mysteries Robin’s link with the ‘Horned God’ is also telling as he is Lord and Master over the human ‘animals’ of the Forest and they are guardians of their stolen treasure, like the hoarding, serpent Nagas of Hinduism. They do good deeds for those who deserve them and dastardly deeds to those who do not.