May Day

in

Great Britain
When/what/why is “May
Day”?
The 1st of May is known as
“May Day” and traditionally
involves dancing around a
May Pole, crowning a May
Queen, Morris Dancing and
generally celebrating the
oncoming summer.
Celebrations and customs
differ from country to
culture, but the gist of the
celebration is the same
throughout.
When/what/why is “May
Day”?
May marks the annual excuse for
Brits to celebrate in the sunshine
with bank holidays to spare.

They usually get two bank holidays in May, but

this year they will get three, thanks to the King’s
coronation.
When/what/why is “May
Day”?
The first one of the month is May Day, and it has an interesting history.

From a 1000s-of-years-old
welcome of new beginnings to a
socialist celebration of better
working conditions for laborer's
– here’s the meaning behind
May Day.
 When/what/why is “May
The earliest
Day”?
known May festivities
hark back to the Roman day Floralia,
celebrating Flora, the Roman goddess
of flowers.

Competitions, performances and a

sacrificial event were held in her
name.

This was part of a larger triennial

celebration for the gods Dionysus, of
wine, and Aphrodite, of love.
Later, the day was marked by the Catholic church for devotions to the Virgin Mary, Queen of May,
in the 18th century.

May Day in Britain likely began on the Celtic astronomical holiday, like Groundhog Day, called
Beltane, marking the seasonal changes with singing, dancing, yellow May flowers, bonfires – and
the infamous maypole.

Now a combination of pagan rituals and Catholic traditions are practiced on the day.
 What is the meaning behind the
Neighbouring villages
maypole?
would compete to see
who has the tallest
trunk. A maypole is a wooden pole, about 3-5 metres tall,
erected as a part of a variety of European folk festivals,
around which a “maypole dance” often takes place.
In the middle ages the maypole was used for a dance
that symbolised flowering male fertility, as baskets and
wreaths symbolised female fertility.
What are May Day traditions?

The tradition of
“dancing around the
Maypole” is steeped
in paganism and is
celebrated by
various cultures
around the world.
 England

Traditionally, a young tree

would be felled and erected
to dance around in
celebration of the
oncoming summer.
Ribbons and flower
garlands would add to a
colourful display, fitting to
a bright spring day of
celebration.
What are May Day traditions?
Scotland and
Ireland

Back in the Middle Ages the Gaelic

people of Scotland and Ireland
celebrated the festival of “Beltane”.
Beltane means “Day of Fire”. They
built large bonfires and danced at
night to celebrate – a tradition that
many are revisiting now.
What are May Day traditions?
Wale
s
In Wales May Day is also known as Calan Mai or Calan
Haf. May 1st was an important time for celebration and
festivities in Wales as it was considered to be the start of
summer. Marking neither an equinox nor a solstice, May
Day referred to the point in the year when herds would be
turned out to pasture. Again, lighting fires are very much
associated with the first of May. In the time of the Druids,
fires for the Baltan (see Beltane, above!), represented an
opportunity for purification, and to protect animals from
disease. These fire-lighting ceremonies were carried out
with a great deal of pomp and ceremony!
How is May Day celebrated in the
UK?The return of spring and summer is often marked by
yellow flowers, connected to the fruitfulness of the
season.
Like the Celts, it is common practice for maypole
dancing to take place with May Day festivals across the
UK.
How is May Day celebrated in the
UK
An old? tradition you may wish to revive is
the anonymous May basket drop off. Just
as it sounds, people in the 19th and 20th
centuries would deposit a basket of spring
flowers and treats on their neighbours
doorsteps, knock and then run away.
Thank you for
attention!
Prepared
3rd year student
Horkovenko
Marharyta