The Mythic Forest, the Green Man and the Spirit of Nature: . - Couverture souple

Varner, Gary R.

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 0875864341 ISBN 13 : 9780875864341

Editeur : Algora Publishing, 2006

Synopsis

The Green Man stares out from cathedral walls, garden ornaments, and urban architecture across the globe—a mysterious figure whose origins remain hotly debated among scholars and nature enthusiasts alike. In this richly illustrated volume, Gary R. Varner traces the Green Man from his ancient roots through his resurrection in contemporary culture, revealing why this foliate-faced archetype continues to captivate our collective imagination.

What exactly is the Green Man? Is he a pagan survival incorporated into Christian churches, a purely decorative motif, or something far more significant? Varner examines these questions by first establishing the broader context of nature worship and tree spirituality across cultures. The book explores the sacred significance of oak groves, the folklore surrounding individual tree species like the yew and hawthorn, and the ancient vegetation deities—Osiris, Dionysus, Pan, and Adonis—known as dying-and-rising gods, or life–death–rebirth deities—whose characteristics echo in the image of the Green Man. The Mythic Forest also takes readers around the globe, drawing parallels between different cultural practices, such as spring rites, fertility celebrations, and folk remedies related to nature worship.

The second half of the book shifts focus directly to the Green Man himself, investigating his mythological associations with figures like Sir Gawain and Robin Hood, and tracing his evolution from ancient god to medieval church ornament to modern secular symbol. Varner provides previously unpublished photographs of Green Men in England, Wales, Ireland, New York, Iowa, California, and Oregon, demonstrating that these carvings flourished far more widely in American architecture than previously acknowledged.

What makes this work distinctive is its attention to the Green Man's appearance in unexpected places—not just on ancient cathedrals but on twentieth-century government buildings, financial institutions, and private residences. The book analyzes the symbolic elements of these carvings: the leaves, vines, horns, and different face types that vary across time and geography. Varner argues persuasively that regardless of whether medieval craftsmen intended religious or secular meanings, the fundamental message remains consistent: humanity's dependence on nature and our responsibility to protect it.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Algora Publishing
• Date d'édition: 2006
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0875864341
• ISBN 13: 9780875864341
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 232
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: non disponible