The Cerne Abbas Giant is a 180-foot hill figure in Dorset, UK, made by carving into turf and loam to expose chalk rock. Its origins are unknown, but it is thought to date back to the 17th century. The figure is periodically maintained and is a popular tourist attraction.
The Cerne Abbas Giant is a famous hill figure located in the village of Cerne Abbas in the British county of Dorset. This towering hill figure measures 180 feet (55 meters) from the soles of his feet to the tip of the mace he wields in his right arm, and is also a popular stop for tourists and some locals. Cerne Abbas Giant is also known as the Cerne Giant or Abbas Giant, and some people call him “the rude man”, referring to his nakedness and prominent genitalia.
A hill figure is a work of art created by carving into turf and loam to expose underlying rock layers. In the case of the Cerne Abbas giant, the underlying rock is chalk, which makes the giant stand out vividly against the green hill in which he is carved. Hill figures can be found all over Britain and the Cerne Abbas giant is one of the largest; so large, in fact, that it is best seen from a significant distance.
There is some controversy about the origins of the Cerne Abbas giant. Some people argue that this hill figure is ancient, suggesting that it represents a Celtic or pagan god. However, no written evidence supports this; the first reported references to the giant date back to 1600, which seems to indicate that it was carved in this period. Certainly such a distinctive figure would have been noted sooner, and it seems unlikely that a Bronze Age hill figure would go unmentioned for hundreds of years.
This hill figure could represent Hercules or it could have been carved by pranksters wishing to parody Oliver Cromwell. Whoever Cerne Abbas giant is, he is depicted with his right arm raised with a club and his left arm sticking out to the side. It’s possible that something was draped over his left arm at some point, given the angle of the arm. The giant’s head is a little disproportionate to the rest of the body, being much smaller than it should be, while his genitals are somewhat exaggerated.
The British National Trust has designated the Cerne Abbas Giant a historic site, and the giant is periodically trimmed and cleaned to ensure it remains in good shape. The giant has also been used in an assortment of product promotions, as it is such a distinctive sight, and has historically been the site of fertility festivals and celebrations. In the past, for example, a maypole was erected nearby to celebrate the arrival of spring and the hopes of fertility.
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