These revelers would bless the fields and flocks of those who were generous and wish ill harvests on those who withheld their bounty. The ribbons which we associate with the maypole today were a later addition. The people who originated this custom lived in close connection with the land. It is hard for us today to relate to this concept, but to the ancients, it was literally a life and death matter. The Celts were a very close tribal people, and fertility of their women literally meant continuity of the tribe.
Many scholars see the maypole as a phallic symbol.
In this aspect, it is a very powerful symbol of the fertility of nature and spring. When Christianity came to the British Isles, many of the ancient holy sites were taken over by the new religion and converted to Christian sites. Many of the old Gods and Goddesses became Christian saints, and many of the customs were appropriated. The passing of persons and cattle through flame or smoke was explained as a practice which interposed a magic protection between them and the powers of evil. These old customs continued to be practiced in many areas for centuries.