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maypole
(redirected from Maypoles)

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maypole

Tall wooden pole garlanded with flowers and greenery and often hung with ribbons that are woven into complex patterns by dancers in a ceremonial folk dance. The custom probably originated in ancient fertility rites that involved dancing around a living tree in the springtime. In many European countries, notably England, the pole is set up on May 1 as part of May Day festivities. Similar ribbon dances were performed in India and in pre-Columbian Latin America.
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The earliest references to maypoles start around 1350, when they came to represent fertility.
Maypole puts youngsters in a merry spin by Coventry Evening Telegraph (England)
Maypoles were once common all over England and were kept from one year to the next.
Spring Special: Origins of May Day; Great idea for May and beyond by Birmingham Mail (England)
One of the best-known permanent maypoles in Warwickshire stands on a small patch of grass in the village of Welford-on-Avon.
TIME TUNNEL: Pole dancers and flower power is order of the day; A ... by Coventry Evening Telegraph (England)
 
 
 
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