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Maypole: meaning, definitions and examples

๐ŸŒท
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maypole

 

[ หˆmeษชหŒpoสŠl ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

festival decoration

A maypole is a tall pole, traditionally used in May Day celebrations, around which dancers weave colorful ribbons. It symbolizes the arrival of spring and is associated with fertility and merriment. The maypole dance involves participants holding ribbons attached to the top of the pole and weaving patterns as they circle around it. This custom has its origins in ancient European pagan rituals and has been adopted into various folk traditions.

Synonyms

celebration pole, spring pole

Examples of usage

  • The children danced around the maypole during the May Day festival.
  • Tradition calls for bright ribbons hanging from the maypole.
  • She wore a flower crown while dancing around the maypole.

Translations

Translations of the word "maypole" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น mastro de maio

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฎเคฏเคชเฅ‹เคฒ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Maibaum

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ tiang maypole

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะผะฐะนpole

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ sล‚up majowy

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒกใ‚คใƒใƒผใƒซ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท mรขt de mai

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ mรกstil de mayo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท maypole

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ฉ”์ดํด

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุนู…ูˆุฏ ู…ุงูŠูˆ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mรกjka

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ mรกje

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ไบ”ๆœˆๆŸฑ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ majska greda

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ maรญpรณll

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะผะฐะผั‹ั€ ะฑะฐา“ะฐะฝั‹

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒแƒ˜แƒกแƒฃแƒ แƒ˜ แƒกแƒ•แƒ”แƒขแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ may sรผtunu

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ palo de mayo

Etymology

The term 'maypole' dates back to the late 15th century, originating from the combination of 'May,' referring to the month of spring celebration, and 'pole,' indicating its physical structure. The practice of erecting a maypole is deeply rooted in ancient European customs, often linked to the worship of fertility deities and the celebration of the return of life to the earth. Initially, the maypole was thought to represent the world tree or a symbol of life and growth, with various cultures having their unique variations of the practice. Over centuries, the maypole dance evolved into a festive occasion marked by communal gatherings, music, and colorful attire, especially in regions such as England and Germany. Today, the maypole serves not only as a nostalgic emblem of folklore but also as an integral part of seasonal festivals, promoting unity and joy within communities.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,188, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.