May wreath and garland, pentacle hair braids, May Day basket ·Springtime rituals and traditions: the Maypole dance, May doll, the Mummer's Play, Beltane fires, May King and Queen ·Myths, fairy and flower lore: Green Man, Jack-in-the-Green, Dusio, Hobby Horse; elves, trolls and fairi...
It was obviously intended as a phallic symbol, as seen in the various fertility rituals involving young people and farm animals that were part of the festival (see BONFIRES ). When the maypole came to America as part of the celebration of MAY DAY, however, its phallic associations so upset...