This Day in History
no:5 ~ The Pagan Origins of May Day
We all know by now that most of our holidays have pagan origin, including May Day!
This day is now celebrated on the first Monday of May although traditionally, before the Celtic nations adopted the Roman calendar, they celebrated (and still do) the Beltane festival which was the first full moon after the first new moon after the spring equinox.
May Day was originally a Roman Holiday honouring the goddess Floralia but eventually it was combined into the Celtic May Day. It was celebrated to symbolise the end of winter and bring about fertility for the land, animals and people.
IN AUSTRALIA WE CELEBRATE THIS AS LABOUR DAY
The Maypole is that tall pole that people (usually children) would dance around with ribbons, wrapping around the pole to make it look all pretty. This tradition has been around for at least 2,000 years from Roman Britain times.
It’s no surprise that poles are a somewhat shape of a phallus, a symbol of masculinity and the colourful ribbons and flowers on top symbolising femininity. Together these 2 are a representation of fertility and having the pole imbedded into the ground would be a way of encouraging that fertility into the land.
Beltane, which is also celebrated at this time, consists of bonfires which are lit to celebrate the power of the sun and light. Remember, in ancient times of Northern Europe, summer time was far more appreciated than it is now in our electric heated and light bulbed society.
In 1889, socialist movements adopted this day to make it about the working class’ rights. In Australia, we know this as Labour Day. Also in Australia, if you were to celebrate the true origins of May Day, this would be done at the start of November as obviously we are currently in autumn and would be silly to celebrate the beginning of summer.
IN AUSTRALIA, THE TRUE ORIGINS OF MAY DAY WOULD NEED TO BE CELEBRATED IN NOVEMBER
History can be fun. Drink mead and be joyful!
Hope you learned something!
Skål.
