We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culture

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Woodwose?

By G. Melanson
Updated: Feb 15, 2024
Views: 9,854
Share

Also known as “Pilosus” or “Wildman of the Woods”, the Woodwose is a mythological humanoid character featured in medieval European literature and artwork, particularly engravings and coats-of-arms. Woodwoses are often pictured bearing a club, to symbolize the savage aspect of man, and are often accompanied by images of the “Green Man”, a humanoid character covered in greenery.

The woodwose is thought to have been inspired by gods featured in ancient mythology, such as Silvanus, the Roman god of the countryside; Maia, the Greco-Roman goddess of fertility and the earth; and Orcus, the Roman and Italian god of death. Woodwose mythology was especially influenced by Nebuchadnezzar II in the Hebrew Bible’s Book of Daniel. In the story, the Babylonian king is exiled from the kingdom after he becomes “wild” with madness, and goes off to live in the woods as a feral human. The connection between madness and wildness in relation to the woodwose is also echoed in other stories, such as the 9th-century Irish tale, “Buile Shuibhne”(Madness of Sweeney), which describes how a pagan king is cursed with madness and resigned to live out his days traveling naked through the forest, writing verses.

In addition to mythological and biblical influences, the woodwose character can also be traced back to historical accounts from those who had traveled overseas. Stories that came out of India, in particular, featured fantastical beings and creatures. Greek traveler and geographer, Megasthenes described two different types of wild men in the accounts of his travels to India, including one tribe of people with backward toes, and another tribe with no mouths. Some of the less awe-inspiring accounts of woodwose-type creatures are today known to be early tales of apes such as gibbons and gorillas.

In the modern study of Cryptozoology, the woodwose is similar to Bigfoot, a bipedal, hairy hominoid creature rumored to dwell most commonly in forest regions. "Wild men" is another term that is virtually synonymous with woodwose in Cryptozoolgy; however wild men generally refers to global reports of bipedal humanoids which are more human than Bigfoot.

In popular culture, JRR Tolkien’s legendarium references the woodwose, sometimes shortened to “Wooses” or “Drúedain.” According to the legendarium, woodwoses were mistaken for goblins and other forest-dwelling creatures by the Rohirrim, and thus named Púkel-men (Goblin-men).

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-is-a-woodwose.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.