Definitions
Sorry, no definitions found. You may find more data at may-tree.
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word May-tree.
Examples
-
Hence the custom in some places of planting a May-tree before every house, or of carrying the village May-tree from door to door, that every household may receive its share of the blessing.
-
In a village near Salzwedel a May-tree is set up at Whitsuntide and the boys race to it; he who reaches it first is king; a garland of flowers is put round his neck and in his hand he carries a May-bush, with which, as the procession moves along, he sweeps away the dew.
-
Then a May-tree is cut, generally an aspen or beech about ten feet high; and being decked with coloured handkerchiefs and ribbons it is entrusted to a special "May-bearer."
-
It would be needless to illustrate at length the custom, which has prevailed in various parts of Europe, such as England, France, and Germany, of setting up a village May-tree or May-pole on May Day.
-
At the May-tree all dismounted and hoisted the king on their shoulders.
-
This, again, is confirmed by observing, first, that sometimes the effigy which is to be burned is carried about simultaneously with a May-tree, the former being carried by the boys, the latter by the girls; and, second, that the effigy is sometimes tied to a living tree and burned with it.
Chapter 64. The Burning of Human Beings in the Fires. § 1. The Burning of Effigies in the Fires 1922
-
Then a May-tree is cut, generally an aspen or beech about ten feet high; and being decked with coloured handkerchiefs and ribbons it is entrusted to a special May-bearer.
Chapter 28. The Killing of the Tree-Spirit. § 1. The Whitsuntide Mummers 1922
-
Then the riders race to the May-tree, which has been set up a little way off.
Chapter 28. The Killing of the Tree-Spirit. § 1. The Whitsuntide Mummers 1922
-
The bringing in of the pine-tree from the woods, decked with violets and woollen bands, is like bringing in the May-tree or Summer-tree in modern folk-custom; and the effigy which was attached to the pine-tree was only a duplicate representative of the tree-spirit Attis.
-
Therefore, if the May-tree is an embodiment of the tree-spirit or spirit of vegetation, the Summer-tree must likewise be an embodiment of the tree-spirit or spirit of vegetation.
Comments
Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.