Friday, May 1, 2009

May....Day, Queens, Poles and a Dance


Happy May Day!

The Maypole

May 1st, May Day, a day which has been celebrated for hundreds and hundreds of years. The druids erected a maypole and danced around it to celebrate the festival of Beltane. During the middle ages, villagers awoke, went into the woods and forests to collect flowers and branches, decorated the maypole, danced, enjoyed festivities and feast and crowned a May Queen. May Day, welcoming this special month is celebrated to this day.

Some May Queens






May Queen by Emilie Balivet

Feasting and dancing were a big part of the celebration, and this 1980s video, from Men Without Hats, is a fun depiction of just such a celebration several hundred years ago. Enjoy!


Collect some flowers, put on some music, make a flower garland, have fun on this beautiful day!

13 comments:

Renee said...

Love the pictures, love the words, love the video, love the song, love a lady named Sue on this wonderful cool in Winnipeg May Day.

Love Renee xoxo

Sue said...

awww, thank you so much Renee! You made my day! Hugs...

Tristan Robin said...

Wonderful post - FABULOUS photos! Thanks for posting.

HaPpY MaY DaY!

Anonymous said...

I read "May Day: A Queen's Pole Dance" and was expecting something totally different. Great pictures and I love the history. Thanks for sharing!

Jdee said...

Sue you always have the most wonderful vintage photos! I love them all and learning about May Day!
xoxo

FlightFancy said...

I wish this tradition were still alive! What fun....thank you for the song, and the smile you gave me! Happy MayDay :)

Baroness Bijoutery said...

Great Video..thank you..Love the old photos..It's really a shame they don't do a the May Poll dance anymore. We did it as children when I went to Catholic School..I use to love wearing the flowers in my hair...Yes I am old if I can remember doing this..but such a fun memory...

And yes Sue Husband of Wonder does have a shop..Blockheadproduction

Denise said...

Beautiful photos and I did not know about May Day. I knew about maypoles but never made the connection to May Day. Oh and that video! Did that bring back memories for me! I forgot that song existed! Even though I must have seen that a million times when I was in my teens. Very nice post Sue. I always enjoy visiting you blog as it always makes me smile!

Renee said...

What an entertainin idea Sue. That angels are entertained by us and that we are entertained by them.

Have a good weekend angel.

Renee xoxox

3rdEyeMuse said...

that very first photo makes me grin from ear to ear!

Happy ALL of May!

dollproject said...

My sister and I used to make little paper flowers for random strangers every May day. I had forgotten about that. Thanks for the memories :].

Lezlei Ann Young said...

Sue...thanks! Great vintage pics. Most of the May Day festivities were cancelled in the Dallas area because of the swine flu.

thanks for sharing!
xoLezlei

3rdEyeMuse said...

... Sadie drew YOUR name to receive 6 dipped cranes. Please email me your address:

mdwalker68@embarqmail.com

THANKS!