Maypole

A maypole is a tall wooden pole set up as part of spring and May Day celebrations in various parts of Europe and, less commonly, North America. It is typically decorated with evergreen branches, flowers, and bright ribbons, and serves as the central focus for dances in which participants weave patterns around the pole.

The origins of the maypole are not known with certainty. It is commonly linked to pre-Christian fertility rites and seasonal celebrations such as Beltane or May Day, though the modern form developed within medieval and early modern Europe. In England, maypoles became associated with village fertility rites and communal festivity, facing periods of suppression during Puritan rule before being revived in the 19th century.

Construction often involves a sturdy, straight trunk, sometimes crowned or encircled with greenery. Ribbons are attached near the top and extended to dancers at ground level. The pole may be erected for a single day or remain in place for several days, depending on local custom. Maypole dances typically involve a group of participants holding the ribbon ends and moving in coordinated patterns to create woven designs as they revolve around the pole.

Regional variations occur across Europe. In German-speaking regions, the Maibaum is erected on May Day and celebrated with community events; in Scandinavia and the British Isles, variations of the maypole and associated dances appear in local festivals. In modern times, maypoles are common in public festivals and schools as symbols of spring, community, and cultural tradition.