Maypole
an excerpt from Wikipedia
It appeared, historically, in most Germanic countries, and is especially popular in Germany and Austria for the May festivities, as well as in Sweden during the Midsummer festivities. In England it plays a key role in many May Day and Beltane festivities and rites. It also remains popular in the Czech Republic and coastal regions of Finland, including the Åland islands.
In Sweden it appears in many varieties, the most common being a cross with two rings hanging from the "arms", as pictured here.
The Maypole, as a simple pole, is several centuries old in England, but the addition of ribbons is an invention of John Ruskin in the 19th century. Pairs of boys and girls (or men and women) stand alternately around the base of the pole, each holding the end of a ribbon. They weave in and around each other, boys going one way and girls the other to weave the ribbons together around the pole until the merry-makers meet at the base. There are also more complex dances for set numbers of (practiced) dancers, involving complicated weaves and un-weaves, but they're not much known today.
Sometimes a crown of flowers is placed on top of the maypole, supported by the ribbons, so that it gradually descends the pole as the ribbons are woven together, finally falling to the ground.
