Between Plant and Animal
The pagan origins of the Green Man are in serious doubt because the figure doesn't appear in the Dark Ages. Only in the High Middle Ages.
First, thank you for reading the piece and engaging with it.
Second, while the figure might not appear in the Dark Ages, there are Roman sarcophagi with foliate heads that really resemble proto-Green Men, like this 2nd century head with leaves and acorns as long hair: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Byzantine_sarcophagi_in_the_courtyard_of_the_Istanbul_Archaeological_Museums#/media/File:Istanbul_Archaeology_Museum_Garland_sarcophagus_2nd_C_CE_2946.jpg
The ambiguity between where his hair ends and where the garland begins seems reminiscent of the Green Man.
Loving this.
Thank you so much.
The pagan origins of the Green Man are in serious doubt because the figure doesn't appear in the Dark Ages. Only in the High Middle Ages.
First, thank you for reading the piece and engaging with it.
Second, while the figure might not appear in the Dark Ages, there are Roman sarcophagi with foliate heads that really resemble proto-Green Men, like this 2nd century head with leaves and acorns as long hair: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Byzantine_sarcophagi_in_the_courtyard_of_the_Istanbul_Archaeological_Museums#/media/File:Istanbul_Archaeology_Museum_Garland_sarcophagus_2nd_C_CE_2946.jpg
The ambiguity between where his hair ends and where the garland begins seems reminiscent of the Green Man.
Loving this.
Thank you so much.