Italy
GREEN MEN OF MILANO-1
Nearby places: Ascona (CH), Pavia, Verona

 


GREEN MEN OF MILANO-1
GREEN MEN OF MILANO-2

GREEN MEN OF MILANO-3

 

Facade

DUOMO DI MILANO
Its famous roof

Built as Gotic church which is rare in Italy. The ornaments were created mostly by French and German carvers. Ongoing construction from the 14th century until today

Pomgranade, ("Pagan") symbol of fertility and abundance

First Green Man

Green Beast

On the way to the roof an incredible variety (chaos) of very different images. It must have been quite an anarchic situation without much control (or even consent) of the clergy. Hardly any Christian symbolism at all! Instead, "Paganism" all over the place. Very, very unique indeed!

As so often: "saint" having a Green Man under his feet

The latter wasn't very much impressed by "his master" though

Kind of Green Man you see in Germany often

 

Vessel of Abundance (Grail) with two Green Men

Renaissance Goddess

Again the Grail Vessel

On the roof

Absolutely beautiful

On top of the roof images seem to be more more coordinated. Maybe by one master-designer. At the same time openness toward "heretical" symbolism is complete. The roof could have been a "free (artistic) space". One can see the tremendous love with which the carvings are made. All of them have the Green Man as object of devotion 

Rarely seen Green Men like this

Left and right Green Man and Woman with Tree of Life (Symbol of the Cosmic Mother)

Clearly a restored piece

Do you still have to be convinced of the dedication of the Milan population for the "original religion?"
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Eight Green Cat faces

Doesn't seem to be shy or afraid of discovery

The Green Cat is the predecessor of the Green Man. It proves the origination in the Middle East (Egypt). Crusaders (Templers) brought them to Europe
Rich ornamentation with two poweful Green Men

Here the opposite: two Green Children

Renaissance pictures.It means that the trend started elswhere on the roof had been continued for many centuries. Amazing, amazing
 

 

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 © 2000-2010 Copyright Han Marie Stiekema
Last revising: 12/19/11