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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 3/7/2009
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Location: Inside Farlex computers
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 The MaypoleThe maypole is the center of activity during the celebration of May Day. The tall wooden pole is often decorated with flowers, greenery, and streamers. Dancers hold the loose ends of the streamers and weave intricate patterns as they encircle the pole and pass each other in dance. May Day festivities also include a May king and queen and people carrying garlands. The maypole probably originated in ancient fertility rites, but its symbolism has long been debated. What are some interpretations? More...
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Location: München, Bavaria, Germany
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In the small town in Germany where I grew up - it was Königsberg in Lower Franconia (today part of Bavaria), I think the smallest city in Germany, we had the Maypole decorated with a wreath to which small presents were attached, a penknife, a purse and so on. The boys of the town tried to climb up to the wreath and get a present. Climbing up that Maypole was quite a feat for the stem devoid of its bark and carefully made smooth was rubbed in with soap. So only the best climbers really reached the top and got their present.  Königsberg in Bavaria. Lower Franconia in the north of Bavaria. [image not available]
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Location: Mesa, Arizona, United States
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Daemon wrote:The MaypoleThe maypole is the center of activity during the celebration of May Day. The tall wooden pole is often decorated with flowers, greenery, and streamers. Dancers hold the loose ends of the streamers and weave intricate patterns as they encircle the pole and pass each other in dance. May Day festivities also include a May king and queen and people carrying garlands. The maypole probably originated in ancient fertility rites, but its symbolism has long been debated. What are some interpretations? More... The tradition of the Maypole has carried over in the US in the town of Leavenworth, WA where a large Maypole exists. The community is very much a Bavarian Village that was created in the 1960s to drive tourism.
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Daemon, May (sorry for the bad pun) I remind you that it is still JANUARY in most parts of the world and The Merry Month of May is far from our thoughts.
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Evidently there's more Maypole history in the article than I need.
Nice photo of Konigsberg Roger. Is the whole town that pretty?
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Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Mexican Maypole or a Ribbon Dance http://youtu.be/YxiuhP5r3Yk :::: Traditional Mexican Pole Dance - http://youtu.be/2yhBCpip48Y
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