batch.motif.comparative-golden-bough-volume-1-frazer-gutenberg-l2328-l2376
---
record_id: batch.motif.comparative-golden-bough-volume-1-frazer-gutenberg-l2328-l2376
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-1-frazer.md
passage_locator:
label: PREFACE. / J. G. FRAZER. / CHAPTER I. THE KING OF THE WOOD. / MACAULAY.;
lines 2328-2376
start: '2328'
end: '2376'
translation: 'The Golden Bough: A Study in Comparative Religion (Vol. 1 of 2)'
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: Frazer lists European customs in which a person is enclosed or covered
in leaves, branches, or wickerwork and led through a village or from house to
house during spring, May Day, Whitsuntide, or Midsummer. The figures collect food,
money, or pence; some are sprinkled with water, crowned with flowers, accompanied
by dancers, horns, bells, or costumed attendants, or contested between villages.
Frazer then interprets the leaf-clad person as equivalent to a May-tree, May-bough,
or May-doll and as representing a beneficent spirit of vegetation, sometimes called
king or queen.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: At Ruhla, when the trees begin to grow green in spring, children choose a
playmate as the Little Leaf Man and cover him with branches so that only his shoes
are visible.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The Little Leaf Man has holes made in the covering for sight and is led by
two children to prevent stumbling or falling.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: The Ruhla children sing and dance while taking the Little Leaf Man from house
to house to ask for gifts of food, then sprinkle him with water and feast on the
collected food.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: In England, Jack-in-the-Green is described as a chimney-sweeper encased in
a pyramidal wicker framework covered with holly and ivy and topped with flowers
and ribbons.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: Jack-in-the-Green dances on May Day at the head of chimney-sweeps who collect
pence.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: In some parts of France, a young fellow is encased in a wicker framework covered
with leaves and led about.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: In Frickthal, village lads secretly make a Whitsuntide Basket in the wood
as trees begin to bud, using leafy branches twined round two hoops and crowning
it with a large nosegay.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: The Whitsuntide Basket appears suddenly in the village at vespers, preceded
by three boys blowing willow-bark horns.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:9
text: Supporters try to set the Whitsuntide Basket beside the village well and keep
it there, while lads from neighbouring villages try to carry it off and set it
at their own well.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: Near Ertingen, the Lazy Man goes about on Midsummer Day hidden under a tall
pyramidal or conical wicker frame covered with fir sprigs.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:11
text: The Lazy Man rings a bell and is attended by costumed persons who speak in
character before houses, while he remains silent.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: obs:12
text: The Ertingen group begs from door to door and later holds a feast with what
they receive.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:13
text: Frazer states that the leaf-clad person is equivalent to the May-tree, May-bough,
or May-doll carried by children begging from house to house.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:14
text: Frazer states that the leaf-clad person and related May objects are representatives
of the beneficent spirit of vegetation whose visit is recompensed by money or
food.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:15
text: Frazer notes that the leaf-clad person representing the spirit of vegetation
is often called by royal titles such as May King, Whitsuntide King, or Queen of
May.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Ruhla children
description: Children who assemble on a Sunday in spring, go into the woods, choose
a playmate, lead him from house to house, ask for food, sprinkle him with water,
and feast.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Little Leaf Man
description: A child covered with leafy branches, with holes for sight, led by two
children and sprinkled with water.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Jack-in-the-Green
description: An English chimney-sweeper encased in a pyramidal wicker framework
covered with holly and ivy, crowned with flowers and ribbons, dancing on May Day.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Troop of chimney-sweeps
description: A group accompanying Jack-in-the-Green on May Day and collecting pence.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: French leaf-covered young fellow
description: A young fellow in parts of France encased in a wicker framework covered
with leaves and led about.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Frickthal village lads
description: Lads who secretly make and support the Whitsuntide Basket and try to
set it beside the village well.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Whitsuntide Basket wearer
description: A wearer enclosed in a leafy basketwork frame with eye and mouth holes
and a nosegay crown.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Three horn-blowing boys
description: Three boys preceding the Whitsuntide Basket while blowing horns made
of willow bark.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Neighbouring village lads
description: Lads from neighbouring villages who try to carry off the Whitsuntide
Basket and set it at their own well.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Lazy Man
description: A Midsummer masker near Ertingen hidden under a tall pyramidal or conical
wicker frame covered with fir sprigs, ringing a bell and remaining silent.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Lazy Man’s costumed suite
description: Persons dressed in character, including a footman, colonel, butcher,
angel, devil, and doctor, who attend the Lazy Man and speak before houses.
role_refs:
- role:6
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Leaf-clad person
description: Frazer’s general category for persons led about while covered with
vegetation or a leafy framework.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: May King, Whitsuntide King, Queen of May
description: Royal titles applied to some leaf-clad persons who represent the spirit
of vegetation.
role_refs:
- role:8
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
roles:
- id: role:1
label: ritual makers and selectors
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:6
basis: Children or village lads choose the person or secretly make the frame in
the wood.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- id: role:2
label: leaf-clad masker or wearer
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:5
- fig:7
- fig:10
basis: Each figure is enclosed, covered, or hidden under leaves, branches, fir,
or a leafy wicker framework.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: role:3
label: house-to-house collectors
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:11
basis: The groups ask for food, collect pence, or beg from door to door before feasting.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:8
- id: role:4
label: vegetation representative
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:12
basis: Frazer identifies the leaf-clad person as equivalent to May-tree, May-bough,
or May-doll and as representing the spirit of vegetation.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:5
label: supporters of local placement
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Their object is to set the Whitsuntide Basket beside the village well and
keep it there.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:6
label: processional attendants
assigned_to:
- fig:8
- fig:11
basis: The horn-blowing boys precede the Whitsuntide Basket, and the costumed suite
attends the Lazy Man.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:7
label: rival claimants
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: They try to carry off the Whitsuntide Basket and set it at their own well.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:8
label: beneficent spirit of vegetation
assigned_to:
- fig:12
- fig:13
basis: Frazer says these figures represent the beneficent spirit of vegetation.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: role:9
label: royally titled vegetation figure
assigned_to:
- fig:13
basis: Frazer lists titles such as May King, Whitsuntide King, and Queen of May
for the leaf-clad vegetation representative.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: leafy branches and green covering
literal_form: Branches, leaves, holly, ivy, fir sprigs, and leafy mantles or coverings
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:5
- fig:7
- fig:10
- fig:12
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:9
- id: sym:2
label: wicker or basketwork frame
literal_form: Pyramidal, conical, or hoop-based wicker/basketwork structures enclosing
the wearer
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:5
- fig:7
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: sym:3
label: water sprinkling
literal_form: Water sprinkled on the Little Leaf Man
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:4
label: food and money gifts
literal_form: Eggs, cream, sausage, cakes, pence, money, and food collected during
visits
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:10
- fig:11
- fig:12
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: sym:5
label: floral crown or nosegay
literal_form: Crown of flowers and ribbons or large nosegay crowning the leafy frame
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: sym:6
label: village well
literal_form: The village well beside which the Whitsuntide Basket is to be set
associated_figures:
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:7
label: willow-bark horns
literal_form: Horns made of willow bark blown by three boys
associated_figures:
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:8
label: bell
literal_form: Bell rung by the Lazy Man as he goes
associated_figures:
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:9
label: royal titles
literal_form: May King, Whitsuntide King, Queen of May
associated_figures:
- fig:13
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Ruhla Little Leaf Man procession
summary: In spring, children cover a chosen playmate in leafy branches, lead him
through the settlement while singing and dancing, ask for food gifts, sprinkle
him with water, and feast.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: English Jack-in-the-Green on May Day
summary: A chimney-sweeper enclosed in a decorated green wicker frame dances at
the head of chimney-sweeps who collect pence.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: French leaf-covered youth
summary: A young fellow in a leaf-covered wicker framework is led about in parts
of France.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Frickthal Whitsuntide Basket contest
summary: Village lads secretly make a leafy basketwork frame, bring it suddenly
into the village with horn-blowing boys, and try to keep it beside their well
while neighbouring lads try to remove it to another well.
figure_refs:
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:5
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:5
label: Ertingen Lazy Man Midsummer procession
summary: The Lazy Man, hidden under a tall fir-covered wicker frame, rings a bell
while attended by costumed speakers; the group begs from house to house and later
feasts.
figure_refs:
- fig:10
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:4
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: scene:6
label: Frazer’s comparative interpretation
summary: Frazer identifies the leaf-clad person with May-tree, May-bough, and May-doll
customs, and describes these as visits of a beneficent spirit of vegetation sometimes
bearing royal titles.
figure_refs:
- fig:12
- fig:13
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:4
- sym:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: leaf-clad embodiment of vegetation
taxonomy_refs:
- seasonal_cycle
basis: The passage repeatedly describes persons enclosed in leaves or green branches
during spring, May Day, Whitsuntide, or Midsummer, and Frazer explicitly identifies
the leaf-clad person as representing the spirit of vegetation.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:9
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: The interpretive identification as a vegetation spirit is Frazer’s comparative
explanation, not a statement attributed to the ritual participants.
- id: motif:2
label: green figure visiting houses for gifts
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: Several examples involve a leaf-clad or green figure being led from house
to house while companions ask for food, collect pence, or beg, followed by a feast;
Frazer interprets the visit as recompensed by food or money.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The passage reports customary practice and Frazer’s interpretation but
does not give participants’ own explanation.
- id: motif:3
label: spring or summer procession of a green masker
taxonomy_refs:
- seasonal_cycle
basis: The customs occur when trees turn green or bud, on May Day, at Whitsuntide,
or on Midsummer Day, and include processional movement through village space.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage groups examples from several regions and dates; exact local
meanings may differ.
- id: motif:4
label: royal title for vegetation representative
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Frazer says the leaf-clad person who represents the spirit of vegetation
is often called king or queen, including May King, Whitsuntide King, and Queen
of May.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage gives titles and Frazer’s interpretation of creative power,
but does not narrate enthronement, sovereignty, or legitimation rites.
- id: motif:5
label: contested placement of ritual green figure at the well
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: In the Frickthal example, supporters try to set the Whitsuntide Basket beside
their village well while neighbouring lads try to seize it and set it at their
own well.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage does not explain the symbolic meaning of the well contest
beyond the described action.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: Frazer explicitly treats the leaf-clad person as equivalent in function to
the May-tree, May-bough, or May-doll carried by children begging from house to
house.
claim_level: same_function
target: May-tree, May-bough, and May-doll customs
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: This is Frazer’s comparative interpretation within the passage; the
passage does not provide independent testimony from each local community.
- id: claim:2
claim: The regional examples from Ruhla, England, France, Frickthal, and Ertingen
are presented as specimens of one class of leaf-clad processional customs.
claim_level: same_motif
target: European leaf-clad mummer or green-masker customs
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:9
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The examples differ in season, personnel, objects, and accompanying
actions; the grouping is supplied by Frazer.
- id: claim:3
claim: The gift-collecting processions are compared by Frazer through the shared
function of receiving food or money in exchange for the visit of the vegetation
representative.
claim_level: same_function
target: house-to-house gift collection by green or May figures
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:8
- ev:9
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: The passage does not establish whether the exchange had identical local
meanings in all cases.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 2328-2333
quote_or_summary: At Ruhla, when trees turn green in spring, children choose a playmate
as the Little Leaf Man and cover him in branches until only his shoes show, with
sight holes and two children to lead him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-1-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 2333-2337
quote_or_summary: The Ruhla children sing and dance, take the Little Leaf Man house
to house asking for food gifts, sprinkle him with water, and feast on the collected
food.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-1-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 2337-2344
quote_or_summary: In England, Jack-in-the-Green is a chimney-sweeper enclosed in
a pyramidal wicker frame covered with holly and ivy, crowned with flowers and
ribbons, dancing on May Day before chimney-sweeps who collect pence.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-1-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 2344-2346
quote_or_summary: In parts of France, a young fellow is encased in a leaf-covered
wicker framework and led about.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-1-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 2346-2354
quote_or_summary: In Frickthal, as trees bud, village lads secretly make the Whitsuntide
Basket in the wood from leafy branches twined around hoops; the frame has eye
and mouth holes and a large nosegay crown.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-1-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 2354-2361
quote_or_summary: The Whitsuntide Basket enters the village at vespers preceded
by three boys blowing willow-bark horns; supporters try to set it by the village
well while neighbouring lads try to carry it to their own well.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-1-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 2361-2368
quote_or_summary: Near Ertingen on Midsummer Day, the Lazy Man goes about hidden
under a ten- or twelve-foot pyramidal or conical wicker frame completely covered
with fir sprigs; he rings a bell and has costumed attendants.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-1-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 2368-2372
quote_or_summary: The Lazy Man’s attendants march and stop before houses, each speaking
in character except the silent Lazy Man; what they obtain by begging is used for
a feast.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-1-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 2373-2375
quote_or_summary: Frazer states that the leaf-clad person is equivalent to the May-tree,
May-bough, or May-doll carried house to house by begging children, and that both
represent the beneficent spirit of vegetation whose visit is recompensed by money
or food.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-1-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 2376
quote_or_summary: Frazer notes that the leaf-clad vegetation representative is often
called king or queen, such as May King, Whitsuntide King, or Queen of May, and
interprets the title as implying a vegetation ruler with wide creative power.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/comparative/project-gutenberg/golden-bough-volume-1-frazer.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: The passage is descriptive and includes Frazer’s own explicit comparative
interpretation, supporting extraction of recurring patterns. Participant-level
meanings and local ritual explanations remain uncertain.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
All claims are based only on the provided passage and metadata. Taxonomy references use only available supplied refs.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:comparative-golden-bough-volume-1-frazer-gutenberg__l2328-l2376
passage_sha256=d2cf497137d507b8e58e4b7fc1376fad6eb3381af509ce0230f1de8e80ea7b7d