Green Man - kambaba jasper

• Size: approx. 4.8 cm x 1.2 cm, 40g
• Material/Mineral: Kambaba jasper is rhyolite, which is a silica-rich igneous rock. Its chemical composition is similar to granite, but it is of volcanic origin. SiO₂ content: high, usually around 69–77%
• Hardness: 6-7 on the Mohs scale

The Green Man is an art-historical foliate head motif in which a human face merges with vegetation. The figure was common in medieval churches and cathedrals, particularly between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries. Its roots have also been identified in Roman and Celtic ornamental traditions. Symbolically, the Green Man is associated with the continuity of life, the cycles of nature, and the renewing force of growth.

Kambaba Jasper is a commercial name for a dark green, almost black ornamental stone found primarily in Madagascar. Geological analyses indicate that it is a rhyolite of volcanic origin, that is, an igneous rock. Its characteristic rounded and concentric patterns are orbicular structures formed during the crystallisation process of molten rock.

The stone has often been marketed as a fossil stromatolite and linked to some of the earliest cyanobacterial formations on Earth. Stromatolites are microbial structures formed in sedimentary rock; however, the rhyolitic composition indicates that Kambaba Jasper is not a fossil stromatolite, even though its surface patterning may superficially resemble such structures. Each piece displays unique patterning as a result of its mineral composition and crystallisation history.

Symbol meaning

The Green Man is an art-historical foliate head motif in which a human face merges with vegetation. During the Middle Ages, particularly between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries, the figure appeared widely in manuscripts, churches, and cathedrals across Britain and Western Europe as stone carvings and wooden sculptures. Some scholars have also noted that the foliate head motif may have pre-Christian roots. In Roman and Celtic ornament, faces and masks emerging from foliage can be found, sometimes interpreted as references to a spirit of nature or a force associated with fertility.

The name Green Man is modern. It was introduced by Lady Raglan in 1939 in her article The Green Man in Church Architecture.

The foliate head appears in numerous variations. Branches or vines may sprout from the mouth, nostrils, or other parts of the face, sometimes bearing flowers or fruit. The Green Man figure appears in different cultures and periods around the world and is often associated with deities linked to vegetation.

In medieval church architecture, foliate heads were frequently placed on capitals, arches, and transitional architectural surfaces. They have been interpreted as expressions of the vitality of creation and the presence of divine creative power in nature. In medieval thought, nature was not separate from the sacred but formed part of the divine order, and the merging of face and foliage aligned naturally with this worldview.

In English churches, the motif was sometimes used to illustrate a popular sermon concerning the mystical origins of Christ’s Cross. Later foliate heads may also reflect the legend of Adam and his son Seth, who, according to tradition, planted seeds in his father’s mouth as he lay in his grave. From these seeds grew the tree that became the wood of the True Cross.

From an early stage, the motif has been associated with life emerging from matter. Art historians interpret the Green Man as symbolising continuity of life, the cyclical power of vegetation, and humanity’s belonging within the rhythms of nature. It is particularly linked to the changing seasons, the rhythm of death and growth, and the idea that life continually rises from the earth.

Kambaba Jasper carries symbolic associations of ancient and deeply rooted earth energy. It is regarded as a strongly grounding stone, believed to harmonise the individual with the natural cycles of the Earth and attune personal rhythms to those of the planet. It is said to guide one back to one’s roots and to foster a connection with the energy of Mother Earth and the purpose of incarnation. The stone is believed to support attunement to the deeper cycles and rhythms of nature. Through meditation with the stone, one may seek to listen to the wisdom of the natural world and find guidance for one’s spiritual path.

Kambaba Jasper is also thought to resonate with the body’s autonomic functions. In crystal healing practices, it is sometimes placed at the base of the skull and is said to help release deeply rooted blockages and limiting beliefs, while supporting the adoption of new patterns. It has also been associated with meridian-based tapping therapies such as EFT. (No scientific evidence supports these claims.)

The stone may be held in the hand, placed upon the body, or arranged with other stones according to the situation. In addition, crystal essence — water in which the stone has been placed — may be applied or lightly misted around the aura, particularly near the feet.

Please note: Crystals and minerals are natural products, and each specimen is unique. For this reason, colours, shapes, and clarity may vary. Natural light reveals their inherent beauty most fully. Trust that the stones selected intuitively will resonate most closely with your personal intention.