Green Man

The green man has been dated all the way back to the second century.  He is a face. . .  made of leaves?  peering out from leaves?  imagined out of greenery?  He can be found on ancient memorials, temples, cathedrals, and tombs. Consensus seems to be that he is the symbol of the eternal cycle of nature.

-from the website English Folk Church

New designs for the Green Man abound even today. Here are a couple that caught my eye, with their intricate graphic quality and precision.  Q. Cassetti is an graphic designer living in New York.  She has a large body of work, and many awards to her credit.  See more of her work on her website:  www.qcassetti.com

Green Man 10, Q. Cassetti, 2011, pen and ink

Green Man14, Q. Cassetti, 2011, pen and ink

A Riddle
I am born on May Morning – by sticks, bells, and ribbons I am the sap – in the dark root
I am the dancer – with his six fools
I am the tump – behind the old church
I am the lost soul – under the misericord
I am the oak – against the stars

I am the face – that peers through the leaves
I am the fear – in a child’ s mind
I am the demon – on the roof-boss

I am killed in October – and laid on church altars

I am the guiser – on the bright bonfire
I am the old grain – sown with the seed
I am the flame – in the pumpkin ‘ s grin
I am the spirit – in the kern-baby’s bosom

Phill Lister 1982, from English Folk Church