May Day—renewal1 of life
May Day is observed in the United States, Canada, and parts of Western Europe in celebration2 of the coming of spring. May Day is celebrated around the world in various forms. It is a festival of happiness and joy.
The May Pole is the most familiar feature of May festivities, but it has different interpretations3. In some cultures, the May Pole represented the world center, or the hub4 of the Wheel of heaven.
In other cultures, the May Pole was the Tree of Life, or a symbol of it. This is where Jesus was sacrificed5 in order to cleanse6 the earth， to grant human being a golden chance of renewal and rebirth.
The third meaning of the May Pole most clearly remains today—it is symbol of male. Females are represented by baskets and wreaths7 used in the dances around the pole.
In northwest Germany, May Poles are tall trees, cut down and stripped8 of bottom branches. The upper branches are decorated9, then the pole is put onto a tall post high above the villages. On each of its branches is a symbol of each trade or vocation that the villagers pursue, to bring good luck.
How it is celebrated—
Italy: The people of ancient Rome honored Flora, the goddess of flowers and springtime. Today May Day is known as the happiest day of the year in Italy. All varieties of flowers are placed in and around poles for worship. Boys often serenade10 their sweethearts on this day. The coolest girl is called May Queen.
Germany: German boys often secretly plant May trees in front of the windows of their sweethearts. Guys do so in Switzerland.
England: The festivals begun in Italy reached their height in England during the Middle Ages. On the first day of May, English villagers awakened at daybreak to roam the countryside gathering blossoming11 flowers and branches. A towering12 maypole was set up on the village. This pole, usually made of the trunk of a tall birch13 tree, was decorated with bright field flowers. Maypoles were usually set up for the day in small towns, but in London and the larger towns they stood all the year around.
The villagers then danced and sang around the maypole, accompanied by a piper14. Usually the Morris dance was performed by dancers wearing bells on their colorful costumes15. Often the fairest maiden of the village was chosen Queen of the May. Sometimes a May king was also chosen. These two led the village dancers and ruled over the festivities. In Elizabethan times, the king and queen were called Robin Hood and Maid Marian.
Today in London children go from house to house bringing flowers in return for pennies. After the pennies are collected, they are thrown into a wishing well. Special wishes are made with hopes that they will come true. The pennies are later collected and given to different charitable organizations.
Greece: Greek children set out early in the morning to search for the first swallow of spring. When the bird is found, the children go from door to door singing songs of spring. For their efforts, neighbors offer special treats to eat, such as fruits and cakes.
United States: On college campuses a May queen is often chosen and the old dances are performed around a maypole.
Children often gather spring flowers, place them in hand-made paper May baskets and hang them on the doorknobs16 of relatives and friends—they ring the doorbells and run away, leaving their flowers as a surprise. At May Day parties children select May queens, dance around the maypole, and sing May Day songs. These festivals often occur in parks or schools.
How to have your own May Day
In ancient China there was a similar custom in March, April or May, when people of all ages, especially the young men, would have an outing17 to breathe fresh air and enjoy themselves.
You may have an outing to have a fresh look at the reborn nature. You're sure to enjoy the sun that shines brightly, the birds and butterflies18 that are in joyful flight, the flowers that are in a hurry to bloom for you to appreciate. And don't forget to take a photo so that you may better enjoy the time that flies quickly.
Remember to enjoy the sweet and cool spring with your friends who will double your happiness.
五朔节：万物更新的节日
五朔节是美国、加拿大和西欧部分国家在五月一日欢庆春天到来的节日。世界各地以各种不同的形式欢庆五朔节，这是一个幸福、开心的日子。
五朔节上最为人们熟知的要数“五朔节花柱”了，但人们对它的含义却众说纷纭。在某些文化中，五朔节花柱代表了世界的中心，也就是天堂之轮的轴心。
而在其他文化中，“五朔节花柱”则代表“生命之树”，或象征“生命之树”。正是在“生命之树”上，耶稣献出了自己的生命，为的是使尘世纯洁，为的是给人类以更新、再生的良机。
保留至今的第三个含义是“五朔节花柱”象征男性，而在五朔节上围绕花柱跳舞时用的花篮和花环则代表女性。
在德国西北部，“五朔节花柱”是一棵长长的树，砍下后将下半截的枝丫悉数削去，而上半截则保留并加以装饰，然后将花柱高高地耸立在某根柱子上，俯瞰村庄。每一枝条上都有某种标记象征村民们所从事的某种职业，为的是带来好运。
万国欢庆“五朔节”
意大利 古罗马人敬仰花神“弗洛拉”，她是主管百花和春天的女神。五朔节成了意大利人一年当中最开心的节日。人们在五朔节花柱上及周围装饰各种各样的鲜花，以示崇拜。在这开心的一天，男孩子常常对着心上人高唱小夜曲。最靓的女孩被称为“五月皇后”。
德国 德国人常常悄悄地在心仪之人的窗下种上“五朔节”花树。瑞士的小伙子们也如法炮制。
英国 兴起于意大利的“五朔节”中世纪在英国达到鼎盛。“五朔节”这一天，天刚破晓，英国的村民们就漫步田野，寻觅和采摘盛开的百花和嫩绿的枝条。村里早就竖起了一根“五朔节花柱”。花柱通常为高大的白桦树树干，缀满了五彩缤纷的田野鲜花。在小镇里，“五朔节花柱”一般只在五朔节立一天，而在伦敦和其他较大的城镇里，花柱常年可见。
随后，村民们就绕着“五朔节花柱”载歌载舞，以风笛伴奏。通常有演员表演莫理斯舞，舞者身上系铃，着五彩斑斓的服饰。村里最美丽的少女当选为“五月皇后”。有时候，人们还选出“五月国王”。 “五月皇后”与“五月国王”领舞，“御驾”操劳整个活动。在伊丽莎白时代，“五月皇后”与“五月国王”分别被称为“圣女玛利亚”和“罗宾汉”。
今天伦敦的孩子们会挨家挨户送花，换回几个便士，然后他们再把这些钱抛进一口“许愿井”里。他们往往许上一些很特别很特别的愿，期待好梦成真。接下来，人们会把这些钱收集起来，捐给不同的慈善组织。
希腊 希腊的孩子们清晨早早出发，去寻找新春第一只燕子。一旦找到燕子，孩子们就会挨家挨户唱起春天的颂歌。对于他们的辛劳，邻居们会拿出特别的东西，如水果和点心，盛情招待他们。
美国 在大学校园里，学生们往往选出“五月皇后”，绕着“五朔节花柱”跳起古老的舞蹈。
孩子们则采集春天的百花，放在手工制作的纸质五朔节花蓝里，然后把花篮挂在亲友家的门把手上——孩子们通常是按响门铃，接着一溜烟跑开，美丽的花篮当然会让亲友们大吃一惊。在“五朔节”的晚会上，孩子会选出“五月皇后”，然后绕着“五朔节花柱”跳舞，或者高歌一曲五朔节赞歌。在公园或学校里经常有这样的活动。
自在快活五朔节
在古代中国，人们有着类似的习俗。每逢三月或四五月，不分老少，尤其是少男少女们，会外出“踏青”，既呼吸新鲜空气，又爽玩一场。何等快活！
你也可以去郊游一番，以崭新的目光审视新生的大自然。你一定会赞美那新鲜明媚的太阳，欣赏那自在飞翔的小鸟与蝴蝶，爱惜那争先恐后盛开以邀你一“宠”的百花。当然喽，别忘了带上照相机，留住这飞逝的时光。
记住喽，带上朋友一起去欣赏那甜美如画的大自然。好友会使你倍感开心与畅快！
1. renewal n． 更新， 复兴
2． celebration n． 庆祝
celebrate v． 庆祝
3． interpretation n． 解释
4． hub n． 中心
5． sacrifice v． 牺牲， 献出
6． cleanse [klenz] v． 纯净
7． wreath n． 圈状物
8． strip [strip] v． 剥，剥去
9． decorate v． 装饰
10． serenade v． 唱小夜曲
11． blossom v． 开花，兴旺
12． towering adj． 高耸的
13． birch n．桦树，白桦
14． piper n．吹笛者, 风笛手
15． costume n．装束， 服装
16． doorknob n．门把手
17． outing n．外出，旅行
18． butterfly n．蝴蝶