May Day today here in France – one of the most important public holidays which doubles both as Labour Day, a celebration of spring time (originally worship of the Roman goddess of flowers, Flora) and fertility. In France, Lily of the Valley is the symbol of May Day. This derives from 1561, when King Charles IX of France received a lily of the valley as a lucky charm. He decided to offer a lily of the valley each year to the ladies of the court. At the beginning of the 20th century, it became custom on the 1st of May, to give a sprig of lily of the valley, a symbol of springtime. It is also traditional for the lady receiving the spray of lily of valley to give a kiss in return. Sadly, I didn’t know this at the time, otherwise I would have bought a bunch for Heather, rather than just the kids!
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