The Green Man, also known as a foliate head,
is a
motif in architecture and art, of a face made of, or completely surrounded by,
foliage
A leaf (: leaves) is a principal appendage of the stem of a vascular plant, usually borne laterally above ground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", while the leaves, stem, f ...
, which normally spreads out from the centre of the face. Apart from a purely decorative function, the Green Man is primarily interpreted as a
symbol
A symbol is a mark, Sign (semiotics), sign, or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an idea, physical object, object, or wikt:relationship, relationship. Symbols allow people to go beyond what is known or seen by cr ...
of rebirth, representing the cycle of new growth that occurs every spring.
The Green Man
motif has many variations. Branches or
vine
A vine is any plant with a growth habit of trailing or scandent (that is, climbing) stems, lianas, or runners. The word ''vine'' can also refer to such stems or runners themselves, for instance, when used in wicker work.Jackson; Benjamin; Da ...
s may sprout from the mouth, nostrils, or other parts of the face, and these shoots may bear flowers or fruit. Found in many cultures from many ages around the world, the Green Man is often related to natural
vegetation deities. Often used as decorative
architectural ornaments, where they are a form of
mascaron or ornamental head, Green Men are frequently found in
architectural sculpture
Architectural sculpture is the use of sculptural techniques by an architect and/or sculptor in the design of a building, bridge, mausoleum or other such project. The sculpture is usually integrated with the structure, but freestanding works that ...
on both secular and