Kudzu Jesus Spotted in Downtown Raleigh

photos by John Morris

From the Angry Man, the Barrel Monster, and the Sewer Monster, Raleigh has had it’s fair share of freaks of nature and/or art. This time it comes in the form of pareidolia (psychological phenomenon involving a vague and random stimulus (often an image or sound) being perceived as significant). The random stimuli in this case is kudzu in the shape of Mr. Jesus overlooking the train tracks and the downtown Raleigh skyline.

John Morris over at Goodnight Raleigh has the full scoop on the way, the truth and the plant life.

Tis not exactly Christ the Redeemer, but we’ll settle for Christ the Trainspotter.

John08/06 07:56 PM

Why does anything and everything that even resembles a human form end up being called “Jesus”? Why isn’t anyone saying that the Kudzu looks like a ghost? Why isn’t anyone saying that it looks like an eagle?
I am really getting tired of people saying that they are seeing Jesus in toast, Cheetos, bark, etc. It’s Kudzu people! It grows along anything that gives it a path.

Jerimee08/06 10:16 PM

looks an awful lot like Jesus to me

though it also kinda looks like a Harry Potter Dementor thing too

but I’d rather have Jesus watching over the trains that pass through Raleigh

Rusty08/07 12:34 AM

It’s waiting for the Hogwart’s Express to pass…

15008/07 03:43 AM

As much as I agree with John, I have to say this is about a jillion times cooler than that stupid Barrel Monster.

tito08/07 04:09 AM

i second what 150 said.

Dwight08/07 04:16 AM

Definitely a Dementor…

arthurb308/07 04:47 AM

Ya’ll sure is funny.

Carl08/07 05:15 AM

I third what 150 said.

youliveyouendupmakingshitinyourgarage

Andrew B08/07 05:58 AM

via email: someone needs to get some of those centennial campus kudzu-eating goats over there stat.

Megan08/07 06:08 AM

This is priceless. John, honey, you’re taking this (and quite likely, yourself) WAY too seriously

jdawg08/07 07:03 AM

I love Kudzu Jesus! Talk about a Pagan conundrum (sp?). Do I worship the plant? Do I worship the diety. Do I worship the plant and the diety? I’m soooo confused! I’m with Megan. Lighten up John, its all for fun!

Tony08/07 07:20 AM

I do not agree with 150. Too much hype is causing the backlash on the blogs. But the hype was created by the blogs. Just appreciate it for what it was and move on. No need to be ugly about it.

RaleighMAC08/07 08:02 AM

I saw this before, and it just looked like a simply cross to me. But I guess it’s grown a lot, because that’s Jesus if I ever saw him! I like that he’s looking over the Shimmer Wall in the night shot…

David08/07 08:39 AM

Poor Jesus. Guy hasn’t had a decent night’s sleep in 2000 years and now he’s got to pull a double shift at the edge of a scrub lot. No respect.

Aaron08/07 11:21 AM

Awesome!

sizzles08/07 12:23 PM

My personal favorite was the dog but Jesus found a while back. People see what they want to in anything.

http://bitsandpieces1.blogspot.com/2006/09/jesus-image-found-in-dogs-butt.html

Bob08/07 12:33 PM

“I don’t care if it rains and freezes long as I got my kudzu Jesus looking after my old railroad car.”

jencoon08/07 02:38 PM

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32281369@N05/3798112040/in/set-72157621846286397/

Raleigh Boy08/07 06:47 PM

Jen—This one looks more like an image of Our Blessed Mother—aka Mater Dei. I’ve often sensed that the ‘wye’ was a sacred place.

Raleigh Boy08/07 07:03 PM

Jen—Your ‘this one,’ that is—Mater divinae gratiae http://www.flickr.com/photos/32281369@N05/3798112040/in/set-72157621846286397/

Eric08/08 04:59 AM

Oh jesus christ

Sara08/08 08:45 PM

I knew I moved to Raleigh for a reason. Hmm.

Cliff08/09 02:00 PM

The barrel monster was SO much cooler…

William08/12 04:27 AM

looks stupid. Get a life people. Not every weird looking thing looks like jesus. You are just seeing what you want to see

smitty08/12 04:43 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareidolia

Brittney08/12 04:33 PM

I think this is kind of cool. Now if someone were to cut off the kudzu, claim it as “holy” and sell it on ebay, that would be just sick. God is bigger than all this!

Barrel Monster08/14 06:30 AM

WHAT !??!?!
I just got back from Burning Man.
What’s this Kudzu Jesus hype ?!?!?!
I’m the only REAL outsider art in this town.
Notice how my reflective rings resemble a multitude of white belts ?
Didn’t you see my chalk drawings down at the bus station last first friday !!!
BARREL MONSTER IS GETTING ANGRRRYY !!!
AAAAAARRRRGGHHH !!!!

Pancake Especially08/15 09:22 AM

Christians are so gullible. In a few weeks it’ll look like Pat Farley.

Virgin birth…hahahaha

15008/19 07:30 AM

Way to go, David, you’re post was quoted in the N+O today.

CR08/19 11:16 AM

He turned water into vine.

Walt08/21 07:55 AM

Could be a crack head, got a hold of the wrong mur.

John08/22 03:56 AM

From the Freezer Jesus files.

Love from Paula in Southport, NC

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Jedidiah Thursday, August 06, 2009