May is the fifth month of the Gregorian, Julian and Revised Julian calendars. The month may have been named after the Greek goddess Maia. It always has 31 days.
It occurs in the late spring or early summer in the northern hemisphere and late autumn or early winter in the southern hemisphere. The beginning of May is halfway between the northern vernal equinox and summer solstice, and it is a time for folk fertility festivals in Europe.
Holidays[]
- 01 — Saints Philip and James's Day (Western Christian): joint celebration of two apostles.
- 01 — Beltane (Pagan): celebration of the beginning of summer and the sacred marriage of the God and Goddess.
- 02 (5 Jamál) — Twelfth Day of Ridván (Bahá'í): the twelfth and last day of the feast of Ridván, celebrating the prophethood of Bahá'u'lláh.
- 08 — White Lotus Day (Theosophist): commemoration of the death of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, founder of the Theosophical Society.
- 09 — Anniversary of the Publication of Dianetics (Scientologist): annual commemoration of the date of publication of Dianetics in 1950.
- 14 — Saint Matthias' Day (Western Christian): celebration of the apostle who replaced Judas Iscariot.
- 17 (3 Jeth) — Chhota Ghallughara (Sikh).
- 23 (7 Azamat) — Declaration of the Báb (Bahá'í).
- 23 (9 Jeth) — Parkash Guru Amar Das Sahib or Birth of Guru Amar Das (Sikh): celebration of the birthday of the third Guru in 1479.
- 24 — Aldersgate Day (Methodist): commemoration of the conversion of John Wesley in 1738 in a meeting room on Aldersgate Street in London.
- 29 (13 Azamat) — Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh (Bahá'í).
- 30 — Saint Joan of Arc's Day (Western Christian).
- 31 — Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary or Mary, Mediatrix of all Graces (Western Christian): commemoration of the Blessed Virgin Mary's visit to Elizabeth.
Preceded by: April
Followed by: June