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MOTHER'S DAY

GOING TO MASS ON MOTHER'S DAY AT OUR POLISH
CHURCH, ALL THE MOTHERS WOULD BE WEARING
FLOWERS, ESPECIALLY CARNATIONS. THERE WAS
A SIGNIFICANCE TO THE COLOR OF THE CARNATION
FOR THE MOTHERS: IF A MOTHER'S OWN MOTHER AND
MOTHER-IN-LAW WERE ALIVE, SHE WOULD WEAR A
RED FLOWER, IF ONE OF THEM HAD DIED, SHE WOULD
WEAR A PINK FLOWER, AND IF BOTH HER MOTHERS
HAD DIED, SHE WOULD WEAR A WHITE FLOWER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): SYMBOLS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church

Date learned: 00-00-1950

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Superstition

Never eat fish in a month without an "R" in it.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CALENDAR

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- July
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- August
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Month
Food Drink -- Meat Fish and other animal life related to water

Date learned: 00001930ca

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DURING MAY, THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN WOULD CELEBRATE THE
BLESSED VIRGIN AS THE MAY QUEEN WITH A PROCESSION. ONE YEAR MY
GRANDMOTHER CARRIED THE STATUE OF MARY. THE OTHER CHILDREN
FOLLOWED HER IN TWO ROWS. THEY CARRIED COLORED RIBBONS. THIS
OBSERVANCE DOUBLED AS A FUND RAISER FOR THE SCHOOL. GRANDMA'S
MOTHER GAVE A DOLLAR SO HER DAUGHTER COULD LEAD THE PROCESSION AND
CARRY THE STATUE. THE OTHER CHILDREN GAVE COINS IN EXCHANGE FOR
THEIR RIBBONS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School

Date learned: 00001930S

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When my mother was approximately 10 years old she was told by
her mother that white shoes were never to be worn before Memorial
Day or after Labor Day. My mother, in turn, told the same thing
to my sister and I as we grew up and to this day we still follow
the rule of the white shoes.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- September
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- FIRST MONDAY IN SEPTEMBER
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- First Monday in September
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- First Monday in September
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Summer
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress HandsFeet
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 00-00-1950

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MOTHER'S DAY

IN HUNGARY, THERE IS A MOTHER'S DAY, AS IN AMERICA,
BUT THERE IS NO FATHER'S DAY!

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June

Date learned: 03-25-1968

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MAY CROWNING CUSTOM

AT THE GIRLS' BOARDING SCHOOL I WENT TO IN WISCONSIN
A GIRL WAS CHOSEN EACH YEAR TO BE THE CENTRAL
CHARACTER IN A PROCESSION OF ALL THE GIRLS IN THE
SCHOOL WEARING WHITE DRESSES, BLUE SATIN SASHES, WHITE
(LONG) VEILS, AND CARRYING WHITE GLADIOLAS TO PUT INTO
VASES AROUND AN ALTAR TO MARY. THE GIRL CHOSEN, CALLED
THE MAY CROWNING QUEEN, CARRIED A BOQUET OF WHITE ROSES
WOVEN INTO A CROWN AND PUT IT ON THE HEAD OF A STATUE
OF MARY AT THE FOCAL POINT OF THIS ALTAR. THE GIRLS SANG
SONG AND SAID A ROSARY, & LISTENED TO A HOMILY.

Submitter comment: THIS "MARY" IS SAID TO BE THE MOTHER OF JESUS CHRIST.

Where learned: WISCONSIN ; SUN PRAIRIE

Keyword(s): MAY QUEEN ; VIRGIN MARY

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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CHINESE FESTIVAL

"CHEUNG CHAU BUN FESTIVAL" IS A RELIGIOUS CARNIVAL ON
THE ISLAND OF CHEUNG CHAU (AN ISLAND A FEW SEA MILES
FROM HONG KONG). IT USUALLY LASTS FOUR DAYS TOWARDS
THE LATTER PART OF THE THIRD MOON, GENERALLY IN EARLY MAY.
THERE WILL BE FLOAT PROCESSIONS, LION DANCES, BRIGHT
LIGHTS AND GAUDY DECORATIONS. THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE
FESTIVAL IS THE "ASSAULT OF THE BUN HILLS." THE
HILLS UP TO SIXTY FEET HIGH ARE BUILT ENTIRELY OUT OF
PINK SUGAR BUNS, THOUSANDS OF THEM.
THESE BUNS ARE BLESSED AND THOSE WHO EAT THEM,
ESPECIALLY THE CHILDREN, WILL BE CLEVER AND GROW UP
TALL AND MUSCULAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting

Date learned: 02-24-1968

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CHINESE FESTIVAL

"THE BIRTHDAY OF TIN HAU, WHO IS THE PATRON GODDESS OF
FISHER FOLK, IS HONOURED ON THE 23RD DAY OF THE THIRD
MOON (SPRING). THE FISHERMEN GATHER AT TIN HAU'S
GREAT TEMPLE AND BURN JOSS STICKS AND THE SMALL
PIGS WILL BE ROASTED AND IS OFFERED TO THE GODDESS,
TIN HAU. AFTER THE OFFERINGS, THERE WILL BE LION DANCES
AND THE ROASTED PIGS WILL BE DIVIDED.
IT IS BELIEVED THAT THOSE WHO HAVE EATEN THE ROASTED
PIGS THAT HAVE BEEN OFFERED TO TIN HAU, WILL BE BLESSED
BY HER, AND SHE WILL ALSO PROTECT THE FISHERMEN FROM
STORMS AND GRAND THEM PLENTY OF FISH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting
BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Rituals
BELIEF -- Control Prevention Provocation Protection P892.25

Date learned: 02-24-1968

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MAY IS THE MONTH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. EVERYBODY ON
TWO SIDES OF THE STREET HOLD CANDLES IN A PROCESSION.
IN THE MIDDLE ARE YOUNG BOYS AND GIRLS DRESSED AS
SAINTS. AT THE END OF THE PROCESSION IS A GIRL DRESSED
IN WHITE, CARRYING A CROSS. SHE'S CALLED ST. ALANA.
PROCESSION IS ALWAYS ENDING UP AT THE CHURCH. EVERY
NIGHT A PROCESSION FROM A DIFFERENT DISTRICT COMES
TO THE CHURCH. THEN EVERYBODY PRAYS AND THE GIRL IN
WHITE OFFERS A PRAYER AND PUTS HER CROSS ON THE ALTAR.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May

Date learned: 12-04-1965

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EVERY AFTERNOON IN MAY, THE YOUNG CHILDREN PICK UP
FLOWERS AND HAVE A LITTLE PROCESSION INSIDE THE
CHURCH AND OFFER FLOWERS TO THE VIRGIN MARY.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May

Date learned: 12-04-1965

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IT IS BAD LUCK TO GET MARRIED IN MAY.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT THOUGHT THAT THIS BELIEF WAS POLISH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May
BELIEF -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Bad luck Crucial moment of life

Date learned: 06-30-1964

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WEDDING BELIEF

NEVER GET MARRIED DURING THE MONTH OF MAY BECAUSE THIS
IS A MONTH OF SORROW AND YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Month
BELIEF -- Marriage Time or day of ceremony
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.41

Date learned: 02-20-1971

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IT IS BAD LUCK TO GET MARRIED IN THE MONTH OF MAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Keyword(s): WEDDING

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May
BELIEF -- Measure of time Month
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.41

Date learned: 04-03-1970

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PLANT CUCUMBER SEEDS ON TWIN DAYS IN MAY.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Keyword(s): GEMINI ZODIAC ALMANAC

Subject headings: 686 Seconds / Twice / Two
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May
BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming

Date learned: 07-03-1970

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THE FIRST THING YOU SHOULD SAY ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH IS,
"RABBIT, RABBIT." SHOULD YOU FORGET, THEN THE LAST THING
BEFORE YOU GO TO BED (IT MUST BE BEFORE MIDNIGHT) YOU SHOULD
SAY IT BACKWARD, "TIBBAR, TIBBAR." YOUR LUCK WOULD NOT BE
AS GOOD BY SAYING IT AT NIGHT, BUT NOT AS BAD AS IF YOU
DIDN'T SAY IT AT ALL.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- April
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- July
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- August
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- First Monday in September
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- First Monday in September
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- September
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- FIRST MONDAY IN SEPTEMBER
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F100
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F110
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F120
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance
BELIEF -- Good luck
BELIEF -- Bad luck
BELIEF -- Conversions
SPEECH -- Phonology Phonetics

Date learned: 06-22-1972

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CUT OR BRUISE BUSHES WHEN THE SIGNS ARE IN THE HEART DURING
MAY OR AUGUST AND THEY WILL DIE.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; SHELBYVILLE

Keyword(s): ALMANAC ASTROLOGY

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- August
BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming

Date learned: 06-30-1973

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NEVER MARRY IN THE MONTH OF MAY; ONLY HARLOTS MARRY IN THIS
MONTH.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May
BELIEF -- Marriage

Date learned: 00-00-1972

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THOSE WOMEN BORN IN MAY WILL BE LOVED AND HAPPY WIVES.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Keyword(s): ASTROLOGY

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May
BELIEF -- Birth
BELIEF -- Marriage

Date learned: 04-07-1972

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DON'T SET MAY EGGS TO HATCH. THE CHICKENS WILL HAVE LOOSE
BOWELS AND CACKLE THEIR HEADS OFF.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; SHELBYVILLE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May
BELIEF -- Bird
BELIEF -- Animal Husbandry Farming Ranching

Date learned: 06-30-1973

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IF IT THUNDERS IN FEBRUARY, THERE'LL BE FROST IN MAY.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May
BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Natural atmospheric phenomenon

Date learned: 08-00-1968

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