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Mary Catelli's avatar

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.

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Robert Walrod's avatar

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.

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Parrish Baker's avatar

Loving this.

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Robert Walrod's avatar

Thank you so much.

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Kp's avatar

This is so cool! I knew Bulbasaur was popular, but I never realized how popular. Great stuff!

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A. Njoto's avatar

I think Japanese themselves have some type of venerations towards frogs as well and that might bring some light to the creation of Bulbasaur..

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Mark Neznansky's avatar

And the second Egyptian plague!

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