🙂 Happy May Day 🙂
Dancing around a pole began centuries ago, possibly in Ronan times. A sapling would be cut down and danced around to celebrate spring and the coming of summer.
In Victorian times domestic staff were given the day off. There would be plenty of partying and it is thought the ribboned May pole dancing began at this time.
There are still a few places in England and Europe that celebrate May Day.
We're in Wales where the 1st May is known as 'Calan Mai' or 'Calan Haf'. The Welsh tradition is to decorate your doors and windows with blossom (often hawthorn), and build bonfires on the last day of April to bless the animals and their herders.
On the first of May in 1561, France’s King Charles IX was given a muguet flower, or lily of the valley in English, as a lucky charm and liked it so much that he decided to offer them each year to the ladies of the court.
These days, the flowers are sold in bouquets on the street around France and people offer them to friends or family members for good luck.
"Je porte bonheur" bonne Fête du Muguet a toutes mes amis
'"I give you happiness" happy May Day to all my friends
3 comments:
Hope you had a lovely Bank Holiday and enjoy the rest of May!
Hi Clare ,
Happy May Day.
WW still have May pole dancing in our town , every year last year we gave out the prizes it was fun and the children were so clever .
Have a great day hugs June.
Hello Clare: I love the picture of the Maypole, the lilies are beautiful.
Happy May Day
Catherine
Post a Comment