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By the time of ancient Greece, if not
sooner, the people
around the tree are dancing. There have been numerous
rites and celebrations involving trees and dancing. A
community theme has typically been a part of the tree
festivities as they sought a blessing of fertility for the
King and his people. The "Dithyramb" was a Greek
spring song and dance festival concerned with the
summoning of spring. A ceremonially erected tree was
the focus of the festivity. The celebration featured
dancing maidens as representatives of latent fertility.
Regeneration was also a theme of the tree festivity,
involving the rebirth of Dionysus, who, like the later
Risen Christ of Easter, was seen as a twice-born young
man. Another spring festival is the May Pole celebration
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