Wicker Man

By Crusader1307

 A supposed ritual practice of several Pagan Religions and beliefs, The ''Wicker Man'' can be traced as far back as the 4th Century BC (when witnessed by various Roman Historians). The practice is linked to various seasonal rituals held to honor deities (Gods and Goddesses) as well as a form of ''sacrificial offering'' for the infusion of power and fortune. Most Wicker Man celebrations are closely associated with Druid, Wiccan and related belief systems as well. Traditionally, a human figure is constructed of organic material (hay, reeds, wood etc). Often Male by appearance, these figures are often quite large (from 8-feet to as large as 15-feet in height). After a suitable celebration of food and other offerings, The ''Wicker Man'' was traditionally set ablaze and allowed to burn down to ashes. This was seen as a high offering to the intended ritual celebration.

Although regulated to the realm of the Horror Movie, Wicker Men figures were once claimed to be used to actually sacrifice humans (tied inside a wooden cage inside the figure), as a form of ''Black Offering''. Much of this myth was created during The Middle Ages as a method of establishing Witchcraft practices. The vast majority of religions and beliefs that used Wicker Men were not Satanic or evil in nature. Some cite that the practice was the actual origin of the Bon Fire.