May Queen facts for kids
The May Queen or Queen of May is a special title that means two different things. It can be a mythical figure from old stories, or it can be a person chosen to represent a holiday.
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Mythical May Queen
The May Queen is also known by names like The Maiden or the goddess of spring. She is sometimes called the flower bride or the queen of the fairies. She stands for the quiet power of nature. Everything seems to move around her.
She represents purity, strength, and the ability to grow. This is like how plants grow strong in May. She is one of many figures that show the energy of the Earth.
Long ago, in medieval plays about Robin Hood, she was also known as Maid Marian. She was a young village girl, wearing flowers on her head. Children with garlands and white dresses often joined her. Some experts think she is connected to Maia, a Roman Goddess. Maia was the goddess of Springtime, growth, and increase. Her name might even be where the word "May" comes from!
May Day Festivals
During May Day celebrations, a girl is chosen to be the May Queen. She is usually a teenager from a certain school year. She rides or walks at the front of a parade.
The May Queen wears a white gown to show purity. She also wears a tiara or crown. Her job is to start the May Day fun. She is usually crowned with flowers. Then she gives a speech before the dancing begins. Different age groups often dance around a May pole. This celebrates youth and the spring season.
An Old Account of May Day
In 1557, a writer named Henry Machyn wrote about a May-game. He described a fun celebration in Fenchurch Street in London. There were drums, guns, and pikes. Important figures called the Nine Worthies rode by. Everyone gave speeches. There was also a morris dance and a sultan. An elephant with a castle-like saddle was part of the parade. Young moors with shields and arrows were there too. Finally, the lord and lady of the May were present. This shows how old and lively these celebrations were!
Keeping the Tradition Alive
Many places still celebrate May Day with a May Queen today. The Brentham Garden Suburb in England holds this event every year. It has the record for the oldest continuous tradition. The May Queen of All London Festival at Hayes Common in Bromley is also very old.
A May Queen is chosen from a group of girls, usually 13 years old or older. These girls are often young dancers. The May Queen from the previous year returns to crown the new one. She then joins the parade.
A special May Day celebration happens every year in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada. This celebration is the longest-running May Day event of its kind in the British Commonwealth. It started in 1870, making it over 140 years old!
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Images for kids
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The 2005 May Queen of Brentham, England on her throne
See also
In Spanish: Maya (folclore de España) para niños
