GCNT09 The Horned God

Cernunnos is the primary "Horned God" of Celtic mythology, representing nature, fertility, wilderness, and animals. Often depicted with deer antlers, sitting cross-legged, and holding a snake or torc, he is associated with the "Green Man", The Green Man is a widespread mythological figure—typically a male face made of or surrounded by leaves—symbolizing nature, rebirth, and the cycle of seasons. Common in medieval European church carvings, he represents the spirit of the forest and the regeneration of spring. He is often linked to pagan fertility gods. In Wicca, the Green Man is a representation of the Horned God; in Celtic mythology, Cernunnos (god of wild things) ; and in Greek, Pan. These Gods are all seen as rulers or representations of nature, wilderness, sexuality, and the life cycle. Despite his pagan appearance, he commonly appears on church and cathedral roofs, suggesting a fusion of pre-Christian life-death-rebirth cycles with Christian themes of resurrection.