The Green Man is one of the great symbols of archetypes of European spirituality, mediating between the mother and her creation in all its richness and diversity. He spans the whole spectrum of natural power and creativity, form the wide-eyed pagan gargoyles to the Christianized, leaf-faced wise man with is all knowing eyes, at Pennal

He is nature in the raw as well as nature harnessed to the service of humanity. In ancient western spirituality he is best embodied by the figure of Merlin, the bridge between our pagan or native past and the new Christian religion.

He is always a figure of mystery, inviting the observer to engage with him. The Pennal Green Man for example, also embraces Cernunnos, the Celtic god of the forest, with his horns, as well as Oceanus, the god of the ocean and the power of the heavens.

The Pennal Green Man painted in 1871 is the only stained-glass Green Man in Wales: the great cathedrals of England and Northern Europe are full of them. Last count at Exeter, thirty five, and still counting! Salisbury 16!