Another guise of the Green Man is “Jack-in-the-Green.” The Jack-in-the-Greens date back to the 16th and 17th centuries in Britain where elaborate garlanded men would lead May celebrations. In recent times, Jack-in-the-Greens lead Morris Dancers in celebration and at Maypoles.
- Jack-Man(photo from: http://www.madjacksmorris.co.uk/jackinthegreen.html) The Jack is a man who is covered in greenery over a framework. Jack-in-the-Greens are also seen in the celebration of Straw bears
- Between Earth and Sea Coming in April (photo from: http://citynoise.org/article/1930) and the British ‘Burryman’ (a man covered in sticky burrs)
Jack-in-the-Greens traditionally celebrate Spring and the Straw Bears, winter. One of my favorite interpretations of Jack-in-the-Green is from Jethro Tull’s song of the same name:
[youtube video_id=”HUZSwHXKu0Q” width=”640″ height=”360″ ]
Find a copy of the lyrics here.