"The Spirit of the Green Garland" is a poetic or descriptive phrase that refers to Jack in the Green himself, who is considered the embodiment of the spirit of spring or summer in English folklore. It is not a separate figure or a formal alternative name, but rather a way to describe the symbolic nature of the character.
Jack in the Green is a traditional May Day figure, a man covered in a large, conical wicker frame adorned with woven foliage, leaves, and flowers. This figure leads a procession, often accompanied by Morris dancers and other characters, to celebrate the end of winter and the coming of summer.
The character's name originates from the increasingly elaborate garlands created in the 17th and 18th centuries as part of May Day celebrations, which eventually became large enough to cover a person entirely. While some theories suggest ancient pagan origins, the historical evidence points to the custom developing in London during the 18th century, particularly associated with chimney sweeps.
In modern revivals of the tradition (such as the prominent one in Hastings), the "slaying" of Jack at the end of the day, where his leaves are stripped and given to the crowd, is a symbolic act to release the Spirit of Summer and bring good luck for the year. The phrase "The Spirit of the Green Garland" captures this powerful, symbolic role of the figure in nature's cycle of renewal.