May Days
The May Pole used in Britain on May Day (and in Sweden during midsummer) is widely acknowledged as a pagan fertility symbol. Plots of ribbons are attached to the poles, and dancers weave around the pole each with a ribbon. The result is that the ribbons are plated either around the pole itself or around other nearby ribbons. Dancers then retrace their steps to perfectly unravel the ribbons.
It is also suggested that May derives its name from the Greek goddess Maia whose festival was celebrated in May. She was also linked with the Roman goddess of fertility (Bona Dea).
DID YOU KNOW? …that there is no other month in the calendar year that begins on the same day as May?
20 May 2006