ANOTHER MAY

Muguet or lilly of the valley in bloom just in time for the first of May. The tradition in France is to give a sprig of the pretty and fragrant plant to friends and family on the first day of May to bring good luck. For more photos and to read a little more about it, see May is Here and It's May! 

This dramatic smartphone photo is of a stand growing in friend Sylvia's garden in the south of France. Merci!

©2013 P.B. Lecron

MAY IS HERE

Un brin de muguet pour le premier mai

Charles IX (1550-1574) is said to have offered ladies of his court sprigs of lily of the valley for good luck, celebrating the arrival of springtime. The custom remains and every first of May all of France exchanges the pretty and perfumed flowers with friends and neighbors. This muguet was offered online by a pal, Sylvia, who photographed it blooming in her yard this morning. Mille mercis--many thanks!

Vocabulary
un brin:  a sprig
le muguet:  lily of the valley
un porte bonheur:  a lucky charm
une clochette:  a little bell, here the form of the tiny flowers
joli(e):  pretty
une courtisane:  a lady of the court

©2012 P.B. Lecron

IT'S MAY!

May is the month of the lily of the valley, or muguet. The custom in France is to give a bouquet--or even just a stem--of the fragrant woodland plant to friends and loved ones on the first of May. If the muguet is not handpicked, then it can be easily purchased on almost any street corner where vendors set up stands for the day to sell this indispensable porte-bonheur. In the language of flowers, muguets with their tiny white clochettes, represent the return of happiness.

Vocabulary

une clochette:  a little bell

un brin de muguet:  a sprig of lily of the valley

une porte-bonheur:  a lucky charm

acheter du muguet:  to buy lily of the valley for good luck

©2011 P.B. Lecron