Celebrating may Day the Ancient Festival of Spring
May Dayis an ancient spring festival that has its origins in the Celtic celebration called Beltane and the Germanic one called Walpurgis Night. This day has been associated with different European pagan and neo-pagan festivals. This day marks the end of winter and has been recognised by many celebrations.
As time progressed and Europe became populated by more Christians, the religious aspect of May Day was changed into a secular one. Then in the twentieth century some neo-pagans began incorporating some of the old traditions into this May Day celebration again.
Great Britain
In Great Britain some of the festivities that are found with May Day are Morris dancing, the crowing of a May Queen and a Maypole dance. Many of these ideas come from a combination of Celtic celebrations and Anglo-Saxon traditions.
Traditionally the day was a day of celebration. Many towns would celebrate this as a time of purification and fertility. Planting of crops would be completed by this day, so this would be a day for the farmers to take off and celebrate and dance around the Maypole.
In 1978 the May Day bank holiday was first began, which gave students a day off from school.
The puritan parliament banned the holiday during the Interregnum but then Charles II restored it in 1660.
Different villages and towns throughout Britain have specific activities that make the day special in their area. Oxford has people gather at 6:00 a.m. under the Great Tower of Magdalen College to hear the college choir sing madrigals. Durham students gather to see the sunrise and enjoy various festivities.
Whitstable, Kent still holds with the tradition of crowning a Jack-in-the-Green and having him lead Morris dancers through the town. Motorbikes travel 55-miles from London to Hastings seafront as part of the Maydayrun. Then in Padstow there is a ‘Obby’Oss’ day, which is thought to be one of the oldest fertility rituals in the U.K.
Ireland
During the early Celtic days, May Day has been called Beltaine. Later on it became Mary’s Day. Bonfires would be lit to welcome summer and to chase away the long nights of winter. Today this is a day of many anti-government rallies.
France
King Charles IX of France was given a lily of the valley on May 1, 1561. He then gave one to each lady of the court. By the 20th century, it was a custom to give the lily of the valley as a sign of spring on May 1. Ladies who receive one, traditionally, give a kiss in return. They are sold tax-free on this day.
Germany
Walpurgisnacht celebrations are usually held on the night before May Day around the countryside of Germany. This evening has many bonfires being lit and includes a Maypole dance. This is also a time of festivities. May Day was not officially a public holiday until 1933.
Finland
Young people take part in festivities on the evening of May Day Eve. On this evening statues in towns are crowned with a student cap. May Day is officially known as Vappu and is the only carnival type festival in the country.
United States
Early settlers in the United States would make May Baskets filled with flowers or treats and deliver them to people’s doorways, after ringing the doorbell and running away. If the giver was caught, a kiss would be exchanged.
Today celebrations of May Day vary throughout the United States. One of the largest celebrations occurs in Minneapolis. It has a parade and pageant which was began by the In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre.
