Victorian maypoles celebrated the arrival of spring and freedom promised by warmer weather. With origins likely based in sacred pagan symbolism, the entire concept fell into the category of scandalous behavior under the Puritans and others. Regardless, Victorian Maypoles emerged as the tent pole for joyful celebrations.
In 1894, famed artist/illustrator Walter Crane transformed the concept of Victorian Maypoles to represent solidarity of “Labor’s May Day” for the workers of the world. In the 1920s Hawaii transformed May Day into lei day.
Why Do We Dance In Circles?
Victorian Maypoles expanded on a long history of dancing in circles that dates back to ancient pagan traditions across Europe, Egypt India and more.
Original poles were tall slender trees cut down, often brought into town by oxen decorated with flowers, then erected in the center of town. In Sweden, Maypoles could be 20 feet high.
Some historians believe they created a symbolic link between the underworld, earth and heaven. Maypoles could be erected in early spring or the Summer Solstice in June.
The version of Victorian Maypoles we know today can be found throughout recorded British History as an annual centerpiece for spring and summer celebrations.
According to Rebecca L. Horst from Sequim Museum and Arts Center the oldest continuous May Day celebration is held in Cornwall England. It started in the 14th century.
“The modern celebration has its roots in the Roman Republic 509-29 BC. The “Festival of Flora” honors the Roman goddess of spring, flowers, and fertility. She was celebrated with wreaths of flowers, primarily roses as symbols of fertility and Chariot races were held.“ (Sequim Museum and Arts Center)
Among the earliest customs followed for May Day, young men picked Hawthorn blossoms and blew cow horns. Young women washed their faces in the morning dew. Small baskets of flowers (May Baskets) were gifted or left as secret surprises.
The Puritan Ban On Springtime Frolics Didn’t Last
The church allowed May Day celebrations until the 17th century. But like so many celebrations with ancient pagan origins, the Church eventually put a stop to the fun in the 17th century. Springtime festivities went the way of many holidays with ancient presumed pagan origins including Halloween and Christmas.
In 1644, Parliament banned maypoles.
In America, Puritan colonists of New England also frowned on maypoles. Rebelling against restrictions on joy, Anglican merchant Thomas Morton in Massachusetts erected “The Maypole of Merry Mount” in 1627. It was an 80-foot pine tree covered in buckhorns. Puritans chopped it down, citing debauchery that distracted people from god and general immorality.
Fortunately, King Charles II reinstated the springtime fun during the restoration in 1660.
According to Sequim Museum and Arts Center in April of 1661, General Wade raised the largest and most famous maypole on The Strand in London. It was at least 130 feet high.
Through the Victorian era the May Day (or early summer) celebration saw a spectacular revival. While ignoring the more risqué pagan details, Victorian Maypoles were transformed into games for children, family games, dancing, music and sometimes elaborate Victorian picnics.
Victorian Maypoles were made of hawthorn or birch with colored ribbons, flowers or greenery suspended from the top. Flower parades were also a big part of springtime celebrations in Europe and America.
Adding to the revival of Victorian Maypoles, famed artist/thinker John Ruskin (1819-1900) expanded on the celebrations.
“He is responsible for the modern May Queen Festival, which was performed in Sequim beginning in 1908 as part of the Irrigation Festival.” (Sequim Museum and Arts Center)
The May Queen symbolized purity. She typically wore white as the designated leader of the May Day parade and festivities. Like a proper Queen, she often sat on a “throne” decorated with flowers.
Walter Crane Illustrated May Day for Labor
Borrowing from ancient pagan and early Christian traditions May Day is generally a light-hearted celebration of spring and warm summer weather to come. But the first day of May was also selected as International Worker’s Day.
According to Laura Forster of History Workshop.org, May 1st is:
“…an official public holiday held across the world – in Bangladesh, Iraq, Ethiopia, Norway, Honduras, France, Albania, and dozens more – in celebration and in solidarity with workers everywhere.” (HistoryWorkshop)
Celebrated illustrator and artist Walter Crane (August, 1845 – March, 1915) was associated with the Arts and Crafts movements. Along with William Morris, he worked to bring art into the daily lives of all classes of people. Crane was also associated with British Socialist movements.
Among his many famed works, Crane illustrated Justice, as manifesto for the Socialist League, which was published in 1894. He re-purposed classic Victorian Maypoles of the day.
Forster writes:
“The Workers’ Maypole calls for ‘solidarity’ and ‘humanity’, ‘employers’ liability’, ‘eight hours’ and ‘no starving children’. In the centre of the scene Crane’s beflowered May queen welcomes the toilers of the world and carries their banners high. Powerful yet whimsical, The Workers Maypole brings together English folk tradition and the demands of the international labour movement.” (HistoryWorkshop)
Crane served as Vice President of the Healthy and Artistic Dress Union, which launched in 1890 to promote loose fitting clothing. Crane illustrated one of their pamphlets, “How to Dress Without a Corset.”
May Day Became Lei Day To Celebrate the Aloha Spirit
Although Victorian Maypoles were not officially involved, Hawaiians transformed the spirit of May Day into Lei Day. Drawing inspiration from the ancient celebration of spring, locals launched a day of Aloha in the late 1920s.
Lei Day became a day to rejoice the great fortune of living in a Paradise. It was also a day to remember old friends. As a symbol of gratitude people wear a lei and give a lei.
According to leiday.org a local writer proposed the holiday in his column in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin on February 13, 1928.
“Two days later the paper printed a letter from Blanding’s co-worker, columnist Grace Tower Warren, who suggested May 1st May Day celebrations as ideal for the holiday, and crafted the slogan, “May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii.” (leiday.org)
Princess Helen Kawananākoa responded to Blanding’s column:
“Indeed, I do approve of the idea. I think it is a beautiful thought and you may count on me for anything you want to help it along. And I know that you will have the loyal support of all the Hawaiians on Oʻahu.
In 1929 Lei Day received official recognition, launching the yearly May Day celebration. Lei Day continues to be celebrated every year on May 1.
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