The Maypole is the symbol of the spirit of the vegetation returning and renewing life with the approach of summer. Traditionally the Maypole was topped with a wreath that symbolized the fertile power of Nature. Ribbons, an ancient talisman of protection dating back to archaic Roman religions, were attached to the pole to ensure the safety of the newborn season. Celebrants encircled the pole and danced in a symbolic weaving of human life with the life of Nature itself.
The Maypole appears to have evolved from archaic Roman religion where it began as an object known as herms, as noted earlier in this chapter. However some commentators believe the Maypole originates from the sacred Phrygian pine tree of Attis carried in the sacred processions related to the temple of Cybele. In ancient Roman religion this was connected with the festival known as Hilaria, a joyful rite of merriment that included dancing around a pole. With the spread of Roman influence into Northern Europe these elements of Italic Paganism were absorbed into the Celtic and Germanic religion
The traditional Maypole dance is both circular and a spiral dance. It involves alternation of male and female dancers who move in and out of the center to the outer circumference. Ribbons of various colors are attached to the top of the pole, draping down to the dancers who hold the opposite end. Some maypoles are painted yellow and black in a spiral design, while others are red and white like a barber�s pole. As the dancers move in a circular pattern, the ribbons are woven along the length of the pole.
Maypole in Northern Europe was a later development; earlier in Southern Europe the use of ribbons was quite prevalent. In April 1644 an ordinance by the Long Parliament outlawed the setting up of Maypoles throughout England and Wales. The ordinance decreed May 1 was the Lord�s Day, and that Maypoles were a heathen vanity giving way to wickedness.
In parts of Italy today the Maypole is still erected during May celebrations. The pole is greased and topped with a wreath the bears a crown. Competitors try to climb the pole and retrieve the crown. The Church in Italy has made several attempts to end May Day celebrations. The first attempt was to change the goddess Maia into the Virgin Mary, which also served to introduce chastity into a rite that originally featured orgies. In later times the Church tried to replace May Day with the celebration of St. Joseph, making him the patron of workers and trying to displace May Day with Labor Day.
