May 1, 2010

Going a Maying

I love the title of this print from the Prints and Photographs Online Catalog of the Library of Congress: "The boy who knew where there was a tree, or, Going a Maying."

Image credit: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [reproduction number, e.g., LC-USZ62-90145] ca. 1898. Other May Day prints can be viewed here.

According to Wikipedia, May Day, celebrated on May 1st, is associated with pagan rites such as "the festival of Flora, the Roman Goddess of flowers, and the Walpurgis Night celebrations of the Germanic countries....[and] is also associated with the Gaelic Beltane. The holiday goes beyond floral rites.  Labor rights advocates gather on May Day so May 1st is also known as International Workers Day.  Where will you go a Maying? Will you be twirling around a tree or pole, or will you be marching for a cause?

2 comments:

  1. JulieMay 02, 2010

    Dear Georgia,

    Planted some bee balm and basil this May Day and then went down to the Big Squeeze, a competition of young accordionists, and danced the polka out of doors.

    Thanks for asking!

    ReplyDelete
  2. GeorgiaMay 03, 2010

    What species of bee balm did you plant, Julie?

    ReplyDelete

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