Maypole - Wikipedia A maypole is a tall wooden pole erected as a part of various European folk festivals, around which a maypole dance often takes place The festivals may occur on 1 May or Pentecost (Whitsun), although in some countries it is instead erected during Midsummer (20–26 June)
Maypole dance | Ritual, Folklore Tradition | Britannica Maypole dance, ceremonial folk dance performed around a tall pole garlanded with greenery or flowers and often hung with ribbons that are woven into complex patterns by the dancers Such dances are survivals of ancient dances around a living tree as part of spring rites to ensure fertility
What is a Maypole and Why Do People Dance Around It? Every year, you can celebrate the first day of May by watching dancers weave ribbons around a maypole This tradition dates back centuries and is as woven in origin theories as the ribbons themselves
History of the Maypole Dance - Learn Religions The maypole dance is a spring ritual long known to Western Europeans Usually performed on May 1 (May Day), the folk custom is done around a pole garnished with flowers and ribbon to symbolize a tree
The Dance of the Maypole: Beltane’s Joyous Symbol of Unity The origins of the Maypole can be traced back to ancient Celtic rituals that celebrated the arrival of spring and the fertility of the earth Historical evidence suggests that Maypole-like structures were erected in various forms across Celtic lands
Maypole Dance: Origin, History, Moves, and More What Is Maypole Dancing? The literal centerpiece of the dance is the maypole It is usually a tall wooden pole decorated with garlands, flowers, and ribbons by the dancers Depending on the locality or the country, the pole may be decorated with symbols associated with that place or community