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Re:Iceland to build first temple to Norse gods since Viking age by arethuza on Tuesday February 03, 2015 @08:58AM (#8990286)
I had no idea the use of the maypole was quite so widespread - I thought it was a particularly English thing. I've never encountered any reference to them here in Scotland.
Re:Iceland to build first temple to Norse gods since Viking age by frik on Tuesday February 03, 2015 @01:36PM (#8992228)
A maypole is a tradition in several countries:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maypole#Germany_and_Austria

Re:Iceland to build first temple to Norse gods since Viking age by maibaum on Tuesday February 03, 2015 @10:41AM (#8990934)
Me neither, and its my last name!
Re:Iceland to build first temple to Norse gods since Viking age by gurkendoktor on Tuesday February 03, 2015 @09:13AM (#8990363)
It's a thing even in Northern Germany, which usually isn't very traditional.
Re:Iceland to build first temple to Norse gods since Viking age by mhd on Tuesday February 03, 2015 @09:47AM (#8990539)
And it's even bigger in the more Catholic parts (ex-pagan symbols often didn't sure survive the Reformation and its sola scriptura ideal). Although there's more larceny and alcohol involved than dancing with ribbons.

But while we're talking about stealing things, I think this went in several directions, with lots of Norse views and figures being influenced by other religions, including Christianity. Vikings and their sagas aren't exactly ancient.

Re:Iceland to build first temple to Norse gods since Viking age by arethuza on Tuesday February 03, 2015 @12:14PM (#8991585)
Speaking about Vikings and ancient stuff, the Maeshowe tomb on Orkney has a lot of entertaining Viking graffiti left after a group of warriors sheltered there from a snowstorm:

http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/maeshowe/maeshrunes.htm

[At almost 5000 years old Maeshowe definitely qualifies as ancient.]