Welcoming the season of warmth and growth

The Floralia, also known as the "Florifertum," was an ancient Roman festival dedicated to Flora, the goddess of flowers and the season of spring. The festival lasted from 28 April to 3 May and celebrated the cycle of life.

Why was there a Floralia festival?

The Floralia festival began in Rome in 238 B.C. to please the goddess Flora so she would protect the spring blossoms.

How was Floralia celebrated?

Flowers decked the temples and Roman citizens wore colourful clothing instead of the usual white, and there was much dancing and other festivities.

Floralia today

Customs from the Floralia festival are still evident in throughout England today:

May Day Customs
Many May Day customs are associated with flowers.

Helston Floral Day (Flora Day) and Floral Dance (The Flora)
A May Day celebration to mark the coming of spring and the passing of winter.

Well Dressings
‘Dessing the well’, occurs in the Peak district of England in small villages each summer. Well-dressing involves pressing flowers, leaves and other natural materials into a clay-lined frame to create a design or picture. Find out more here

Links

Helston Floral Day and dance

May Day Customs in England

The custom of Well Dressing

The Romans and their Gods