The Medieval Roof carvings of Norwich Cathedral can be taken as a fantastic reference and a way of teaching different subjects like History ,Literature , Arts , Mythology , legend and religion. We have taken as a starting point one of these bosses , " the green Man " and through poems , movies , videos and medieval legends of the wild man dressed in leaves , students will be introduced to the meaning of this figure , or the one you chose from these bosses to exploit.
Stone roof in the east walk of the cloisters showing a human face towards the south of the walk . It`s a haunting image , from the depths of the forest, hidden by the fronds , masked by leaves , image associated with such seasonal and pagan rites.
THE GREEN MAN The figure of the green man is usually represented in different ways , it can be a sculpture , a drawing or other representations of a face surrounded by leaves , branches or vines . Commonly used as a decorative architectural ornament . Often found on carvings in churches. It`s also a name for English public houses sometimes shows a full figure , rather than just a head.
It has been associated with " Jack in the Green" that is a participant in the English May Day. Referred to in works of architecture as a foliate heads or foliate masks . Sometimes the leaves are shown growing from his mouth or from his nose . The face is almost always a man,green women are rare.
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
"Superficially the green man would appear to be pagan, perhaps a fertility figure or a nature spirit similar to the wood wose ( the wild man of the woods), but to the modern observer , indicates the vitality of the green man , who was able to survive as a symbol of pre -Christian traditions."
There have been later variations , in Britain , the image of the green man enjoyed a revival in the 19th century , becoming popular with architects during the gothic revival , many variations can be found in Neo gothic Victorian architecture. The Green man image has emerged again in modern times.
Apart from Jack in the green during the May day in London. there are many other characters related with the green man which symbolize the triumph of life over winter and death and resurrection :
Robin Hood , The robber and hero dressed in green , as well as being an expression of the cycle of life, death and rebirth.
Peter Pan is somebody who wants to live forever like a child , always be young , never die . Again he is related to England , as he lives in the woods and walks and flies over the steets of London .
And even Father Christmas , who used to be green and appeared with the red suit after the Coca - Cola.
More modern designes :
Nowadays there are even festivals around this figure , a radio station , videos in You tube and a place in Face book.
Norwich Cathedral
The Green man
The Medieval Roof carvings of Norwich Cathedral can be taken as a fantastic reference and a way of teaching different subjects like History ,Literature , Arts , Mythology , legend and religion.
We have taken as a starting point one of these bosses , " the green Man " and through poems , movies , videos and medieval legends of the wild man dressed in leaves , students will be introduced to the meaning of this figure , or the one you chose from these bosses to exploit.
Stone roof in the east walk of the cloisters showing a human face towards the south of the walk . It`s a haunting image , from the depths of the forest, hidden by the fronds , masked by leaves , image associated with such seasonal and pagan rites.
THE GREEN MAN
The figure of the green man is usually represented in different ways , it can be a sculpture , a drawing or other representations of a face surrounded by leaves , branches or vines . Commonly used as a decorative architectural ornament . Often found on carvings in churches. It`s also a name for English public houses sometimes shows a full figure , rather than just a head.
It has been associated with " Jack in the Green" that is a participant in the English May Day. Referred to in works of architecture as a foliate heads or foliate masks . Sometimes the leaves are shown growing from his mouth or from his nose . The face is almost always a man,green women are rare.
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
"Superficially the green man would appear to be pagan, perhaps a fertility figure or a nature spirit similar to the wood wose ( the wild man of the woods), but to the modern observer , indicates the vitality of the green man , who was able to survive as a symbol of pre -Christian traditions."
There have been later variations , in Britain , the image of the green man enjoyed a revival in the 19th century , becoming popular with architects during the gothic revival , many variations can be found in Neo gothic Victorian architecture.
The Green man image has emerged again in modern times.
Apart from Jack in the green during the May day in London. there are many other characters related with the green man which symbolize the triumph of life over winter and death and resurrection :
Robin Hood , The robber and hero dressed in green , as well as being an expression of the cycle of life, death and rebirth.
Peter Pan is somebody who wants to live forever like a child , always be young , never die . Again he is related to England , as he lives in the woods and walks and flies over the steets of London .
And even Father Christmas , who used to be green and appeared with the red suit after the Coca - Cola.
More modern designes :
Nowadays there are even festivals around this figure , a radio station , videos in You tube and a place in Face book.
Bibliography
The green Man , Kathleen Basford 1978 - The Jack in the Green.
The Medieval Roof Carvings of Norwich cathedral . Martial Rose and Julia Hedgecoe.
Tales of the Mabinogion . " A green man treasure hunt."
Facebook - Green man festival .
http://www.btinternet.com/~breinton.morris/WhoistheGreenMan.htm
http://www.greenman.net/