May tree is an attribute of a fairy-tale holiday!

Holidays in the world there are many. Each country has its own solemn days. Some states adopt traditions from each other, and then the red day of the calendar is celebrated on the half of the globe. The May Tree Festival is one of such cases. It began to celebrate the ancient Greeks and Romans. And over the years this holiday has spread throughout Europe. Now it is fun celebrated in Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic, Russia, Slovakia. The traditions and customs of this day are very interesting and diverse.

Origins

In ancient Rome May Day was called May Day. The culprit is the goddess Maya. From the very early morning people went out into the woods and groves and gathered there young branches and shoots that decorated their houses. The streets were filled with cheerful music, giving everyone an upbeat mood.

For all European nations May 1 is a holiday of greenery, flowers and the awakening of nature. The May tree is an indispensable attribute that was installed on city squares and in the homes of residents. Then began the most interesting - decoration and decoration. The main role was played by a peeled trunk of birch or pine. In the middle was a crossbar. To her hung garlands of flowers, ribbons. Every inhabitant of a city or a village could contribute to the ornamentation of the trunk. When the May tree was ready, dancing and dancing began until the morning!

Customs

There are many customs associated with this holiday. In Germany, to put the decorated tree under the window of the beloved is still considered the highest manifestation of the senses. Every girl is waiting for such a romantic confession.

In Hungary, on that day, comic auctions of brides are held, but many receive real offers of the hand and heart.

In small villages, customs are not at all so sentimental. If the inhabitants are at loggerheads by whole settlements, they need to steal from the enemies a stuffed cock, which is hoisted on the May tree as an ornament. Then, harvests and disasters are provided to their enemies all year round.

In some countries, May 1 is the day of payment of wages to simple laborers. They waited with a sinking heart for this day. To get their own blood, accumulated over the year. It was believed that the shepherds can not sleep, otherwise dark forces will take away the cattle. They lit fires and arranged a holiday right in the middle of a field or a grove. If all the heads were safe in the morning, the farmhand received a salary.

Ah, lilies of the valley

In refined France May Day is called a holiday of lilies of the valley. The whole city is fragrant with the delicate aroma of these flowers. In the distant past, girls came to dance around the May tree with a bunch of lilies of the valley. If they handed this set of flowers to one of the guys, then they expressed their consent to enter into a legal marriage with him. This evening, lovers joined hearts, everyone rejoiced, tried tasty treats and danced to the morning under cheerful music.

In Germany in ancient times people on this day wove wreaths from lilies of the valley and had fun until the flowers fade. As soon as the lilies dropped their heads down and withered, they were amicably thrown into the fire and made a wish.

Fertility

The holiday of the May tree took roots in paganism. But with the advent of Christianity, the interpretation of this day has changed. It is believed that the Virgin Mary on this night is in a wreath of lilies of the valley to those who are prepared for unexpected happiness. Everyone is looking forward to such a vision.

Christian priests wanted to uproot this holiday, because it happened right on Easter. But nothing happened. The May tree is a symbol of fertility, the revival of nature from hibernation, life, health. Contrary to all, it is adorned every year. The pole itself - the trunk, symbolizes the axis around which the Earth rotates. And ribbons and garlands are a symbol of the creation of peace. Some interpret it differently: the pillar and ribbons are like a man and a woman who will always be together.

There is one more version of the holiday. It precedes the night of the revelry of sorcerers and witches - Walpurgis night. And in the morning a dressed tree or pillar says that good has won!

The Abductors

One of the cheerful traditions is to contrive and steal the May tree at night in a nearby village. There are strict rules for this action. If at the appearance of thieves guardians of the tree had time to touch the trunk - the tree remains in place. But if they managed to distract and the thief touched the ground under the tree three times with a shovel - will have to say goodbye to the attribute of this holiday. The tree is taken to a nearby town and set next to mine. Beginning around the festive trophy.

Some people have never heard of such a celebration. They will help to plunge into this atmosphere and consider the May tree photo. In each country, the symbols of the holiday look different. There is a beautiful, oshkurenny pillar, hung with red ribbons. There is also just a stick, on top of which flaunts a wreath of young green twigs. Each of the "trees" is unusual and creative.

Traditions and ways of celebrating are different for everyone. But this holiday brings people joy and unity, wherever they live. Therefore, it is celebrated for many years, and no one is going to refuse such a noisy party!