Meekranz
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The Meekranz ( dt. Lit .: Maikranz) referred to Luxembourgish a manually braided ring from young leaves . Traditionally, these wreaths in Luxembourg are collected and made early in the morning on May 1st by club members (e.g. scouts or youth, sports, music clubs etc.). The main focus is on socializing.
The Meekranz is regularly hung on facades or above a door and is usually around 80 cm to 1.2 meters in diameter .
Word origin
The word "Mee" means May in Luxembourgish . According to Adelung , May (Mai) has the meaning of "green tuft ", "a bouquet of shoots " in Upper German . "Wreath" is used to mean "ring", "hoop", "circular thing".
history
The Meekranz is a centuries-old symbol of spring and happiness, similar to how maypoles are set up in Germany or lilies of the valley are sold on the roadside in France .
May customs , such as the meek wreath, are traced back to pagan sacrificial festivals, which were adopted into Christian customs. These were exercised to B. to keep bad spirits away. For this purpose, maypoles were set up, blessed herbs and consecrated palm branches were scattered, large crosses were drawn on the doors with chalk, and rooms were sprinkled with holy water (from which you also drank yourself at the end ).
See also
Web links
- May 1st: Meekranz , official internet portal of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (luxembourg.lu)
- Meekranz, la couronne de mai
- "Meekranz" A weave with tradition , in Luxemburger Wort from May 1, 2016
Individual evidence
- ↑ See: Johann Christoph Adelung in " Grammatical-Critical Dictionary of High German Dialect " 1811. Keyword: "May".
- ↑ See the official internet portal of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (luxembourg.lu): May 1st: Meekranz .