What is the symbolic meaning of the green man?

The symbolic meaning of “Green Man” is represented by the male aspect of fertility, rebirth, and new growth of vegetation in the spring. In pagan rituals of the spring solstice, a designated participant dressed (or not dressed, but rather painted) to represent the Green Man can often be seen dancing throughout the festivities.The Green Man is also used as a symbol of protection, appearing above thresholds and entrances.

Ironically, the first instance of the term “Green Man” was in 1939, in an article published by Lady Raglan called “The Green Man in Church Architecture” in The Folklore Journal. That said, there were many instances of the Green Man represented in carvings and statues in medieval churches spread across Europe from the 11th – 16th centuries, and a depiction dating as early as 400 AD.