PDA

View Full Version : Historic origin of the Green Man



Symbolseeker
23rd February 2012, 15:44
Perhaps you know someone with the proverbial “green thumb.” It seems every plant they touch thrives. During the Atlantic period (5900-3750 BC) Vanir women with green thumbs were cultivating kitchen gardens. At the same time, the herding, cattle-rustling northern Aesir Celtic culture traveled the Andronova Corridor migrating into Europe, following food and crops, eventually merging with the Vanir goddess’ agricultural way of life. A “War of Accommodation” followed (a peaceful effort - not war as we experience it today), as the two lifestyles learned to live and thrive together. The image we know as the Green Man symbolizes these herders-turned-farmers, although the name “Green Man” was not used until Lady Raglan used it in her article in 1939. The name for this old symbol stuck and became a popular name for British public houses, whose signs often show a full-figure Green Man. Older names for this symbolic character are Jack-O-the Green, Pan, Robin Goodfellow, Puck, and Bacchus. Modern renditions are the Jolly Green Giant logo and Peter Pan. All we need do is look at this image – and we see a male farmer (there were Green Girls, but extant images are rare).