The green man motif can be found in many cultures and many ages around the globe; primarily he is seen as a symbol of rebirth,
representing the growth of plants each spring.

Tree worship dates prehistory, which is unsurprising considering much of Europe was once covered in vast dense forest.
Often he is viewed as a representation of the horned Celtic God Cernunnos, the Greek nature spirit Pan and a male counter part to the Earth Goddess Gaia. The origins of the green man are to this day, shrouded in mystery and there is no clear origin of the motif.

Today his image can often be found carved into the inside and outside of many churches and cathedrals across Britain.