Green Man (UEB Contracted)

By: Rnib

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Synopsis: This page shows an image of the Green Man, an ancient theme of carvings often found in church architecture all over Europe. It is said to symbolise Spring and rebirth, and may have originated in pagan religions. This example is from a church in Vendome, France. There is a locator dot shown, which will be at the top left of the page when the image is the correct way up. The image is surrounded by a dashed line image border. The image of the Green man is found filling the central part of the page. He shown here as green to aid reading, although the original is grey stone coloured. He is facing to the front so that both of his eyes, his nose and his mouth can be found. At the top of the image part of the carving goes across the page. Down from this are four leaves in a horizontal row on his forehead. Further down are his eyes, nose and mouth. There are crescent-shaped marks under each of his eyes that perhaps represent dark rings. There is an oak leaf growing from each of his cheeks, and two more with acorns, that grow from the corners of his mouth.