Maypole
A tall decorated pole around which people dance in spring.
Also: maibaum
A maypole is a tall pole, raised on 1 May or at midsummer in many parts of Europe, decorated with flowers, ribbons and greenery. In England, children and dancers hold ribbons and weave around the pole in patterns, binding it in coloured cloth. In Germany, Austria and Bavaria, the maibaum is a tall painted trunk, carved with the emblems of local trades, raised by the village and guarded against theft by neighbours. In Sweden the midsummer pole is raised and danced around with songs. The custom is a welcome to spring, with roots in older tree rites, and is accompanied by music and food.
Region: Europe