Spring Festivals
Festivals of Dolls
On March 3 the Japanese celebrate a gala
girls. It has to do with dolls. On this day,
placed on exhibiton along with rare vases
In the Indian State of Udaispur, quite a
every year. This was a country where wo-
homes and heavily veiled the rest of the
spring, they were given one day of free-
veils, carry dolls through the streets. The
the Prince rode by on an elephant to the
state barge and was rowed around the
day called "Peach Festival", for little
the finest dolls are brought out and
filled with flowers.
different Festival of Dolls took place
men were practically shut in their
year. In celebration of the coming of
dom, and the women, minus their
great event of the festival was when
riverbank where he embarked in his
lake in full view of his subjects.
Festival of Kites
On May 5 is the Kite Festival--a very popular day in Japan.  Boys of all ages meet in groups with kites of every description made with Japanese paper and bamboo.  The Dragon Kite is always a splendid affair and glitters in the sunlight as if it were covered with jewels.
Large carps made of cloth or paper are an important feature of the festival.  They are made with mouths wide open so the wind will come in and puff them up to handsome proportions.  They are hung out to fly from poles--one for each boy in the house.  The carp symbolizes strenght and perseverance because every year it swims upstream and lays its eggs.
The Kite Festival is also celebrated in China, in fact, flying kites is the favorite sport of Chinese boys. 
May Day is an occasion to make merry, to welcome spring and welcome outdoor play.  It is celebrated at a time of year when earth breaks the bonds of winter and clothes itself anew with flowers, and the whole world is glad.  May Day, traditionally, is celebrated on May 1, but nowadays, especially in the North, the festical takes place anytime during the first two weeks in the month when the weather is warmer and more flowers are in bloom.  This beautiful springtime festival is observed in every nation--each in its own way. It is believed that May Day celebrations originated with the Romans.  They were known to hold an elaborate festival in connection with the arrival of spring.  It was called "Florida" and dedicated to Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers.  The Greeks also celebrated a spring festival highlighted with athletic games where each victor received a crown of laurel leaves.  The custom of celebrating spring was carried to England by the Romans.  There, May Day has always been one of the important festivals of the year. In medieval and Tudor England, MAy Day customs were most interesting and beautiful.  Everyone--servant and master alike--was up at the crack of dawn to "go a-Maying".  Branches of trees were gathered and brought back to town in a big procession in which the women and children carried wreaths of flowers and the men dragged a long pole to be erected on the village green.  To be chosen Queen was the dream of every girl in the village.  Chosen by the lord of the Manor, she might be a squire's daughter or the most modest peasant girl.  The climax of the May celebration was the crowning of the Queen.  This was done when the sun was at the highest point in the sky, spreading its warmth and cheer over the greatest area.  Merrymaking lasted the whole day, with dancing around the Maypole and sports and games attended by the Queen and her court.  Even though May Day festivals are purely local affairs, there are certain highlights or customs that are traditional and included in all May Day celebrations.