History of May

posted in: Months of the Year | 0

The word May originates from the Latin word Maius.

Emerald

May derives from the Greek Goddess Maia, who the Roman’s identified with their goddess of fertility, Bona Dea. The festival for Bona Dea was held in the month of May, on May 1.

Ovid, the famous Roman poet, stated the month of May derived from the Latin word maiores, which means elders, and June was named for luniores, which means young people.

Special devotions to the Virgin Mary take place in May.  The Roman Catholic Church honors the Virgin Mary as “the Queen of May” and have a traditional ritual of “May Crowning”.

Lily of the Valley

The birthstone of May is the emerald, which means love and success.

The May birth flower is the Lily of the Valley and the Crataegus mongyna.

The Taurus is the Zodiac sign through May 20 and the Gemini from May 21 on.

Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer

Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Cinco de Maya, May Day, National Nursing Home Week, the Kentucky Derby and Nurses Day are just a few of the holidays and events held throughout the month of May.

May is also National Golf Month, National Military Appreciation Month, National Stroke Awareness Month, National Brain Tumor Awareness Month, National Foster Care Month, World Asthma Day, and National Teacher Appreciation Day are a few of the awareness’s of the month.

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