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

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