Gathering wild flowers? Chopping the last of the lilac blossoms off the bush, or picking the first roses? Stealing from the neighbor’s garden or buying bunches of tulips from the roadside stand?
Everything goes when it comes to making the May wreath, a tradition dear to Greeks. Some add olive or laurel branches, and a head of garlic, to ward off the evil eye. The wreaths will adorn front doors and balcony railings, slowly drying up until the time comes to burn them on bonfires on Saint John’s day (June 23rd). Family and friends will jump over the embers for good luck.
I wrote about the traditions of May 1rst last year, as a guest on Solveig Werner’s blog. For new followers, you can read about it here.
This year I painted a splashy wreath to wish you all Kalo Mina, as we say (it means ‘have a nice month’).
That’s a lovely painting, Marina, and a nice tradition too. Happy May Day to you, from England.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks, Pete!
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Kalo Mina! Or as we said as kids: A pinch and a punch for the first of the month, and no returns!
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A lovely wreath!
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Thank you Susan!
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Thank you for sharing your wreath with us. Χαρούμενο Μάιο
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Same to you, Kate!😊
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That’s a delightful tradition. I do hope that you have made a real wreath, because I would hate to see your painting thrown onto the fire! Happy May.
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Of course! We always do🌺
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Beautiful Marina! Kalo Mina Koukla Mou. x.
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Kali Protomagia!
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x
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Beautiful!
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Thank you, Jennie!
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You are welcome!
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What a wonderful tradition the Greeks celebrate. I love your wreath, Marina, it’s just perfect, and I especially loved learning about this community event.
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Thank you, Sharon. I see you have been browsing extensively! It’s good to have you visit!🌺
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Kalo Mina! What a lovely tradition. I’ve seen the wreaths, but never knew about burning them on Ag. Ioannis day. Thanks for the link to your interview!
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You’re welcome, Debi. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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That’s a beautiful wreath and I love the idea of letting it dry out and burning it.
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It was so fun when we were kids – the danger of it!
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Did the flowers still have a perfume or were they really dry and shriveled by the time they were burned?
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Totally dry, no perfume!
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That’s sad. I liked the idea of them giving up their perfume as they burned.
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I had often wondered about the wreaths I had seen on doors in Greece. Your painting is very pretty.
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Thank you!
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Dear Mrs Kappa,
The St John’s day is on June 24th . Αη Γιαννη του πηδηχτη, που πηδανε τις φωτιες.
I know that well, because it is also a Catholic saint’s day and Janos has celebrated his nameday then.
Lately, Janos has changed faiths, so to speak, and celebrates on January 7th like the rest of the Greek Johns.
AK
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I always thought it was the 22nd, but when I looked it up, I found 23rd… Go figure. Not that it really matters😊
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What a lovely tradition – I wonder what some of those wreaths look like by the time comes to burn them though after being exposed to that Greek sun for all that time.
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Like a circle of dehydrated pot-pourri!
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What a lovely lively painting! the only thing I’m worried about in your tradition is the head of garlic: smell? 🙂
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Now that you say it, I don’t know, because I never use any. I assume it dries up too and doesn’t smell.
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Thank you Marina for this beautiful painting of the colourful Wreath of May! Isn’t that beautiful. I did write about the month of May too, just posted two days ago. I mentioned about the “Lilly of the Valley.” Flowers are beautiful, I cannot live without them, they are a must in my home.
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Me too! Haven’t read your post yet, I will asap.
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thank you very much!
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How very beautiful your wreath painting is, Marina. What an interesting tradition this is. I like it. 🙂
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