May 1st, often called May Day, just might have more holidays than any other day of the year. It's a celebration of Spring. It's a day of political protests. It's a neopagan festival, a saint's feast day, and a day for organized labor. In many countries, it is a national holiday. There is, however, one thing that is similar in most celebrations - the use of Flowers!
One of the most popularly known May Day traditions is to hang a basket full of spring flowers and/or other small gifts on a neighbor's doorknob. The trick is you don't want the neighbor to see you! If you get caught, you are supposed to get a kiss.
A popular activity on May Day is to decorate a pole with brightly colored ribbon or paper streamers. Some also add flowers and balloons. The pole is usually carried in a parade and then placed in the ground at a designated area. People then dance around the May pole, holding the ends of the streamers or ribbon in their hands.
In London, May Day is celebrated with the children going from house to house. They bring flowers and get pennies in return. The pennies are then thrown into a wishing well. The pennies are then donated to charity.
In France, cows play an important role in May Day. The cows are led in parades with many flowers attached to their tails. The people watching the parade try to touch the cows; it is believed to be good luck.
In Germany, one tradition is for boys to secretly plant a May tree in front of the window of the girl they love.
On May 1st, people in Hawaii celebrate their own version of May Day; they call it Lei Day. People give Hawaiian leis to each other. They put them around each other's necks and sometimes give a traditional kiss.
Wishing you all a fine & happy May Day and may this be the beginning of a beautiful month for you!
Love & Peace always
Pasadena Patriots To Hold Huge "May Day" Anti-Socialism Rally
In my town there is going to be an action to celebrate spring and protest the upcoming May 19th vote that asks California citizens to tax themselves even MORE through a YES Vote on Propositions 1 A, B, C, D, & F!This gathering is to bring attention on why one would want to Vote NO on all of these propositions and reject the notion that they would actually limit government and government spending. California is already fiscally and politically bankrupt. If passed, these propositions will only drive us further in the hole. Choosing “Mayday” is also fitting because all pilots and mariners use this expression to signal distress and imminent danger. This is exactly where we are in California.
To clarify, this is a Tea Party against high taxes, increased government socialism and over spending. Being in California one doesn't want this to be confused with the May Day demonstrations by Hispanics who are rallying for comprehensive immigration.
Where: Pasadena City Hall
100 N Garfield Ave
When: Friday, May 1st, 4pm
What: VIP Speakers, Rally, May Day Parade, Happy Hour
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7 comments:
Happy May Day! I love the cow photo!
Great post, loved all the photos. That's really interesting about the cows.
Great informative post! I think that you are fairly close to me in the desert...I am leaving in 2 weeks for the summer home in the PNW, but would love to hook up next season for a ride if we can work it out!!!
Thanks for all the interesting info! I always say I'm gonna "May day" somebody every year...still have yet to do it. Ok, that's OFFICIALLY my goal for next year!
I really enjoyed your pictures and snippets of May Day traditions :)
What beautiful photos. I'd love to see your horses with garlands of flowers around their necks :-)
I don't understand about California's tax policy. How do ordinary people afford to live there?
Thanks for brightening my day with your pictures.
I loved this post and all the traditions from different countries. Very interesting. I wish someone would have hung a basket of flowers on my doorknob, I love flowers.
Happy May Day!
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