Greenman images

[AnneElizabeth]

Hello,

I hope I've got the right forum for this question.  Since it is pertaining to things in antiquity, I thought I would post it here.  Moderators, please move it the more appropriate place if it is not.   Thanks!

I had heard that the symbol of the greenman was pagan in origin, yet I have seen photos of this motif being used as decoration in Catholic churches.   Does anyone know if it is pagan or if it has any Christian spiritual meaning to it?  If not, then why is it in the churches?  Do Christians associate that image now with something that is evil?

More specifically, I’m wondering… If you saw someone wearing a piece of jewelry with the greenman image, would you think the person was not Christian ?

I was watching a show on EWTN today about the occult and it said to be aware of pieces of jewelry that were supposedly occult and that made me think of these questions. I don’t know if a piece of jewelry I own with a greenman on it would be considered something like this or not. I figured it was ok because the motif is in churches.

I’d really appreciate some Catholic feedback on this. Thanks in advance!

 

[TxGodfollower]

Hello,

I hope I've got the right forum for this question.  Since it is pertaining to things in antiquity, I thought I would post it here.  Moderators, please move it the more appropriate place if it is not.   Thanks!

I had heard that the symbol of the greenman was pagan in origin, yet I have seen photos of this motif being used as decoration in Catholic churches.   Does anyone know if it is pagan or if it has any Christian spiritual meaning to it?  If not, then why is it in the churches?  Do Christians associate that image now with something that is evil?

More specifically, I’m wondering… If you saw someone wearing a piece of jewelry with the greenman image, would you think the person was not Christian ?

I was watching a show on EWTN today about the occult and it said to be aware of pieces of jewelry that were supposedly occult and that made me think of these questions. I don’t know if a piece of jewelry I own with a greenman on it would be considered something like this or not. I figured it was ok because the motif is in churches.

I’d really appreciate some Catholic feedback on this. Thanks in advance!

Quick search seems to show it was originally a pagan symbol, which existed before Christ walked on the earth. Don’t know when the Catholic Church took the image.

Its pretty common for different cultures to “borrow” images from each other. The pentagram used to be a Christian thing until it got used by other groups who now use it almost exclusively.

 

[schaeffer]

I do believe that most people would assume that a person wearing a “Green Man” pendant was pagan, or was at least interested in and enchanted by the mythology of which The Green Man is a part.

 

[Murmurs]

Green Man iconography is very commonly found on older churches in Britain and Ireland (ie mostly those built before the Reformation and which are now Anglican/Presbyterian). It appears to be a symbol that predates Christianity and so yes is unquestionably pagan in origin. It’s hypothesised that originally the figure was a symbol of life, death and rebirth, or fertility. This may in the Christian era have evolved into symbolism of (for instance) the power of the Holy Spirit… On the whole, I think it’s meant to be seen as a very positive image, for pagans or Christians, rather than representative of the Devil or something.

This site which seems relatively neutral in tone outlines a few potential interpretations and how mediaeval church-builders and decorators might have intended Green Men to be seen. Of course - by the middle ages perhaps it wasn’t much more than interesting decoration for some.

As for 21st-century people wearing the symbol - I guess I’d assume they were pagan or at least interested in pre-Christian religion and its symbolism. Loads of people after all wear crosses or crucifixes and wouldn’t dream ordinarily of setting foot in a church (which uneases me rather more!). On the other hand I’m personally very interested in the pre-Christian religions of the British Isles, and I don’t think were I to choose to wear a necklace, earrings etc with a Green Man represented I’d be remotely bothered about what it says about my or anyone’s faith! Sometimes one wears something just because it’s pretty…

 

[AnneElizabeth]

Thank you all so much for your replies. Much appreciated.

 

[andrewstx]

I am not so sure about all of this. I don’t think Green Man images are always pagan in nature.

There is a sculptor named George Carruth who has made a green man sculpture for a cathedral in Washington DC. If it is in a cathedral can it be pagan?

I already have two very Christian Nativity (Christmas) reproductions of his work in my house. And I am considering a green man sculpture for my rose garden. Can this possibly be bad or wrong?

 

[schaeffer]

I am not so sure about all of this. I don’t think Green Man images are always pagan in nature.

There is a sculptor named George Carruth who has made a green man sculpture for a cathedral in Washington DC. If it is in a cathedral can it be pagan?

I already have two very Christian Nativity (Christmas) reproductions of his work in my house. And I am considering a green man sculpture for my rose garden. Can this possibly be bad or wrong?

Green Man is a mythical figure, doesn’t seem like it’s wrong to have such a sculpture in a garden. There is no question that Green Man is a pagan figure.

Even the pendant isn’t an issue, but I think some people who saw it would get the idea that the wearer is a pagan, the way one would get the idea that someone wearing a cross was a Christian.

I understand Carruth’s art is in the Cathedral, but is there actually one of his Green Men in the Cathedral? He creates Christian art as well.