This is a fire festival that celebrates the coming of summer and the fertility of the coming year. Fire is an important element of most celebrations, where it is meant to purify, cleanse and revitalise. People leap over the Beltane fire to bring good fortune, fertility and happiness for the year.
May Day was an important day in the Middle Ages and was a favourite holiday of many English villages. People used to cut down young trees and stick them in the ground in the village to mark the arrival of summer. This is the origin of the maypole. People danced around them in celebration of the end of winter and the start of the fine weather that would allow planting to begin.
The Gift of the Holy Spirit is celebrated on this day (50 days after Easter). It is a happy festival and ministers often wear the colour red in their robes which acts as a symbol of the flames when the Holy Spirit came to earth.
This is the most important of the Buddhist Festivals, as it marks Buddha's Birthday, and for some his birth and death.
Homes may be cleaned and then decorated colourfully. In many countries Buddhist visit temple and give offering to monks, such as food and flowers. Chanting and praying are an important part of this festival. They may also hang paper lanterns and release caged birds.
