Festivals from Around the World for the Merry Month of May

Spring has always been a time of renewal. A time of awakening as new growth springs forth. Subsequently, there are many types of festivals, which are celebrated in the merry month of May. Here are a few May traditions from around the world.

In England, on the first day of May, people would pick wild flowers first thing in the morning. A tall maypole would be set up in the village green. This was usually in the center of the community. Villagers would dance and sing around the pole, often accompanied by a piper. The most beautiful maiden would be chosen as the May queen. In some regions a May king was also chosen. The king and queen would lead the village in the dancing. In Elizabethan times the king and queen were called Robin Hood and Maid Marian. Another custom in England was for small children to bring freshly picked flowers to a person's door and exchange them for pennies. At the end of the day, the children would throw the pennies into a wishing well.

There is a custom in Switzerland to have a small May pine placed under a girl's window to promote fertility and health. To ensure fidelity and returned love, boys in Germany secretly plant trees in front of the windows of their sweethearts during the month of May. Czechoslovakian boys held to the same tradition as their German counterparts by planting trees for their sweethearts.

The May season holds sway to many ancient omens in Greece. Children start out early in the morning searching for sight of the first swallow of spring. When the bird is sighted, the children then go door to door singing songs. In return, the recipients often have treats for the children.

In France, the month of May is sacred to the Virgin Mary. Young, virginal girls lead processions in honor of the sacred Virgin while carrying statues of Mary. These girls serve as May Queens for their towns. Cows sometimes are a part of May Day festivals in France, as well. Flowers in bundles are tied around the cows' necks. It is considered a sign of good luck to touch a cow during a May Day festival. Drinking warm cow's milk on the first day of May is thought to bring good luck throughout the year.

Most May festivals in Italy are associated with Mary. But there are still a few ancient symbols to be seen, as well. The goddesses Maia and Flora were honored in ancient Rome. They were the goddesses of springtime and flowers. Statues covered with garlands of flowers were carried past a sacred pine tree. This was the forerunner to the May Pole. In many parts of Italy, boys serenade their sweethearts on the first day of May.

In the United States, May Day celebrations were not seen much after the turn of the 19th century. However, there has been a bit of a reawakening. At Renaissance Faires and on some school campuses May Poles are tied with streamers of many different colors. Often times, a May queen is chosen, as well. There is also an older custom that involves children making paper May baskets, filling them with freshly picked flowers, putting them on doorknobs. The basket of flowers is left as a surprise after the children ring and doorbell and run away.

Spring and the emergence of flowers and budding trees has oft-times been a time of celebration. From ancient times, people have welcomed the new growth and the new warmth as the earth awakens from the cold slumber of winter. This is but a small list of the celebrations people have participated in around the world throughout history.

SOURCE:

Grimassi, Raven. Beltane: Springtime Rituals, Lore and Celebration. Minnesota: Llewellyn Worldwide. 2001.