Pole dancing has very old origin in England.  It comes from the maypole, which at the beginning was a fertility and sexuality ritual.  It was performed to honor the pagan god named The Horned One. Hence, the maypole was a symbolic phallic symbol.   Later, the maypole evolved into the worship of Mother Earth, giving this ritual a more acceptable aspect.  It was very popular in England until around the end of the 1800’s.

Emigrants in the new world carry this tradition of the maypole in to the United States.  And just like basketball and baseball, pole dancing was created in United States.  During the early day the Great Depression, traveling fairs become very popular entertainment. 

They had small tents with a stage, where dancers were feature as the main attraction.  While performing erotic dances, the dancers would shake and grind their bodies sensually while using the poles, which were holding up the tent, for support.

Pole dancing was first performed by a dancer named Princess Pat.  She worked for One Eye Tommy Fallon and Mom Fallon.   And the first recorded pole dance show was by Belle Jangles, who worked in an Oregon club called Mugwump was in 1968.

  

Pole dances become increasable popular en Canada during the 1980’s.  >From Vancouver comes what we see today in strip clubs and gentleman’s club.  And spread all over the world and as far as China. 

Today, pole dancing is not only for strip clubs and gentleman’s club, women embrace their sensual selves and enjoy taking classes to learn to perform a pole dance and other erotic dances.  However, most women don’t run home to dance for their man. 

Pole dancing is an escape from daily life where women take time for them and enjoy their sexuality.  This way of thinking outside the box creates friendship between women of all kind of social economical status.  Pole dancing is here to stay, not as a ritual, but as a new expression of dance.