Maypole

Maypole
/may"pohl'/, n. (often l.c.)
a tall pole, decorated with flowers and ribbons, around which people dance or engage in sports during May Day celebrations.
[1545-55; MAY + POLE1]

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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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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Maypole — May pole , n. A tall pole erected in an open place and wreathed with flowers, about which the rustic May day sports were had. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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  • maypole — ► NOUN ▪ a decorated pole with long ribbons attached to the top, traditionally used for dancing round on May Day …   English terms dictionary

  • maypole — [mā′pōl΄] n. [often M ] a high pole wreathed with flowers, streamers, etc., around which merrymakers dance on May Day …   English World dictionary

  • Maypole — This article is about the tall wooden pole. For other uses, see Maypole (disambiguation). Dancing around the maypole, in Åmmeberg, Sweden A maypole is a tall wooden pole erected as a part of various European folk festivals, particularly on May… …   Wikipedia

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  • Maypole, Kent — Maypole is a small village in Kent, England, north of Canterbury and south of Herne Bay, close to the slightly large village of Hoath. Maypole has two unique features which differentiates it from other villages in the area: *A small but vibrant… …   Wikipedia

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