Among the many fantastic figures carved on medieval churches and cathedrals, one can find examples of foliate heads or leaf masks; a human head from which leafy foliage sprouts and elaborately ornaments a frieze, facade, or column.  This figure, known as the "Green Man" (or "Jack in the Green", "Green George", "Leaf Man", "May-King", etc.) was mainly a Northern European and Celtic symbol of the continuous regeneration of life, a symbol of May and the return of the Spring.  He is also sometimes portrayed as a nightmarish demon of the forest and can appear to be both beautiful and sinister at the same time.