The May-Day Wreath: Ancient Roots and Modern Uses
Spring's victory over Winter is celebrated all over the world with wreaths of flowers, and rituals to keep evil at bay. This is how it all started...
The May wreath is a centuries-old tradition that is still observed today. It is said to protect its wearer from the evil eye and bring good luck, love, happiness, euphoria and peace. The custom is worth preserving because not much is written about it; that's why I decided to take on this topic. This post will dive into the history of the tradition of wreath-making during this time of the year, and the symbolism behind it.
The origins of May Day can be traced back to ancient Greece. Greek mythology states that the ancient goddess Maia was a member of the Pleiades, a daughter of Atlas, and the mother of Hermes by Zeus, who is actually the source of the name of the month of May, or Maios in Greek (Mάιος). Maia is also used as an honorific term for midwives in Greece. The Romans revered her so much - especially since being the mother of Mercury (Hermes) - that they named the month of May after her for her fertility, growth, and nurturing qualities.
Around the world - specifically in Europe - various cultures celebrate the peak of spring (midway between the spring equinox and summer solstice) through an assortment of vibrant and joyous festivals. From Floralia in ancient Rome, to Protomagia in Greece (which translates as the first day of May), to Beltane in Ireland and Scotland, these springtime celebrations can trace some of their roots back to the ancient traditions of Thargelia, a Greek festival honoring the birthdays of Apollo and Artemis at the beginning of May.
Apollo, a deity of the Greco-Roman mythology, was one of the most widely revered and influential of all the ancient Greek and Roman gods. As the god who affords help and wards off evil. He was also known as the God of the Sun and light; creativity, healing, disease and prophecy.
Artemis (Apollo's twin sister), is the goddess of the hunt, wild animals, wilderness, childbirth, virginity, and young girls. She is often depicted as a young woman with a bow and arrows, and is accompanied by hunting dogs or deer. As a virgin goddess, she was greatly revered by women and girls, and was believed to protect them during childbirth.
Protomagia, Beltane, and Floralia share similar festival traditions with Thargelia, including wearing wreaths and even decorating homes with wreaths. These festivals have a common theme of celebrating the middle of spring and the fertility of the season. Not to be confused with Anthesteria, a festival of souls, plants, and flowers, and was dedicated to the god Dionysus celebrating the arrival of spring. In addition to wreathing, Beltane and Floralia also involve dancing around a Maypole, while Protomagia features traditional dances and feasts. While many historians debate the origins of the maypole, the use of wreaths and wreath decorating has a well documented history in Ancient Greece.
NOTE:
If you look on the internet for info on May Day, most people mention the ancient Greek festival of Anthesteria, and connect it to May and the modern Greek festival 'Protomagia', however I believe this is an error and misinterpretation.
Many people fail to use the Attic Calendar as a guide. In which case they would have to conclude that Anthesteria would have been celebrated in March, the beginning of Spring. On the other hand, Thargelia festival is a mid-spring festival celebrated in May.
Unfortunately, the information that has overrun the internet is insufficient. Going further back, even before Rome, seems to be something that few people bother to do. Even the editors of Wikipedia seem to have things confused.
The Origins Of Wreaths In Ancient Greece
Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility, was associated with the changing of seasons and the renewal of life. He was often depicted with a wreath of ivy leaves, which symbolized the cyclical nature of life and death.
A laurel wreath is also associated with Apollo, the god of life and light. When Apollo pursued Daphne, she fled and asked the river god Peneus to help her. Peneus turned her into a laurel tree, and from that day, Apollo wore a wreath of laurel on his head. The tradition of wearing laurel wreaths became associated with victory; they were often given to winners of athletic competitions such as the Olympic and Pythian Games.
In addition to athletic games, wreaths were also used in social events such as symposia and during festivals. Different types of wreaths were worn depending on the god or goddess being honored. Wreaths were considered sacred objects, and removing or disposing of them could not be done casually or without due reverence, nor could an unauthorized person wear one without committing sacrilege. For this reason, they were highly valued as a symbol of social status and achievement.
Wreath/Eiresione Decorating
During the festival of Thargelia, people presented the god Apollo with first fruits as a sign of gratitude and to appease him lest he ruin the harvest with extreme heat or disease. According to Aikaterini Kamilaki - Former Director of the Hellenic Folklore Research Center of the Academy of Athens - the wreaths were then crafted from olive and laurel branches, then decorated with the flowers and fruits from trees such as, figs, almond, and pomegranate, as well as stalks of wheat, barley, onion and garlic to ward off the evil eye. They also added cakes, jars of honey, oil, and wine. The use of greenery was for the purpose of conveying their fertility and was the main characteristic of these wreaths.
In ancient Greece, during this festival, this wreath was called an Eiresione and was considered a harvest wreath that was decorated and used in festivities, which would then be hung at the entrance of people's homes. Yet, contrary to the modern concept of a wreath, the Eiresione was not necessarily circular in shape. Rather, it was a branch bound round with red and white wool, fruits, sweets, and various other offerings.
According to Plutarch, as translated by Bernadotte Perrin, the Eiresione "...is a bough of olive wreathed with wool, such as Theseus used at the time of his supplication, and laden with all sorts of fruit-offerings, to signify that scarcity was at an end..."
In modern times, Greeks adorn May Day wreaths with vines and flowers. This tradition is also honored by those who have moved away to cities and helps bring them back to nature. Many travel to the mountain sides to collect greenery and flowers to make wreaths for their homes. Hanging the wreaths on their homes' doors is a ritual with the aim of transferring its vivacity and fertility to those who live inside. As reported by the Greek Herald, the most famous custom is to place the wreath on the house's main door on May 1st, where it remains until June 24th. At that time, the wreaths are burned in bonfires known as St. John's fires.
Below is a video of this ancient tradition still practiced today in Greece where people build a bonfire in honor of St. John's, jumping over it as part of a purification rite, and throwing May wreaths into the fire in hopes of good fortune and health.
So why not honor this ancient tradition and decorate your own wreaths made from local flowers, fruits, herbs, and greenery, and hang it on your door, balcony, or window.
That's all for now, but stay tuned for a how-to create a traditional May day wreath!
Sincerely yours,
-Christina Outis