a tall pole around which people danced on May Day in the past. Tall wooden pole garlanded with flowers and greenery and often hung with ribbons that are woven into complex patterns by dancers in a ceremonial folk dance. The custom probably originated in ancient fertility rites that involved dancing around a living tree in the springtime. In many European countries, notably England, the pole is set up on May 1 as part of May Day festivities. Similar ribbon dances were performed in India and in pre-Columbian Latin America
A tall pole erected in an open place and wreathed with flowers, about which the rustic May-day sports were had
a vertical pole or post decorated with streamers that can be held by dancers celebrating May Day