May Day | |
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Type | Cultural |
Significance | European festival of ancient origins marking the beginning of summer |
Celebrations | Raising and decorating Maypoles, decorating buildings with green branches and flowers, crowning a May Queen, Jack in the Green, bonfires, feasting, dancing, singing, processions |
Date | 1 May |
May Day is a European festival of ancient origins marking the beginning of summer, usually celebrated on 1 May, around halfway between the Northern Hemisphere's spring equinox and midsummer solstice.[1][2] Festivities may also be held the night before, known as May Eve. Traditions include gathering green branches and wildflowers ("bringing in the May"),[3] which are used to decorate buildings and made into wreaths; crowning a May Queen, sometimes with a male companion decked in greenery; setting up a Maypole, May Tree, or May Bush, around which people dance and sing; as well as parades and processions involving these.[4] Bonfires are also a major part of the festival in some regions. Regional varieties and related traditions include Walpurgis Night in central and northern Europe,[1] the Gaelic festival Beltane,[5] the Welsh festival Calan Mai,[5] and May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It has also been associated with the ancient Roman festival Floralia.[6]
International Workers' Day observed on 1 May is also called "May Day", but the two have different histories.
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