As previously mentioned the tapestry consists of two motives - one for each of the months of April and May. The motive of April shows a man standing next to a tree in bloom. In the tree are three birds. The horizontal position of the birds is probably due to the weaving technique. In his right hand the man holds a flower similar to the ones in the edging below. Under his arm a bird is walking around. He is wearing a long, patterned coat or split tunic similar to the design used by persons of rank at the time of the Normans. At the bottom and at the end of the wide sleeves the coat is edged with an ornamental border. On his feet he is wearing flat shoes. His beard is of medium length and tapering.


The motive of a man carrying a flower in his hand standing next to a tree of birds is characteristic of portrayals of the month of April in pictures of the months and calendars of the 13th century. Thus April is always portrayed as a young man. Usually he holds a flower or a twig in his hand, or sometimes many ears of corn in order to remind us that this is the time of year when the seeds are sown. Thus the picture is not an image of Christ.


In the small woodcut which is from "A Peasant's Handbook or Weather Book" from 1744 you can actually see a man with a budding twig and to the left of him a small flock of flying birds is shown.

In an old Danish peasant's handbook from 1680 it is written about the month of April:

If on Easter Day only little rain will fall
Little feed the year will bring
But if the day has sunny skies
Much butter the year will hold.

This day is also good for the child to wean
Who at its mother's breast has had its time
In God's name you shall this begin
Afterwards urge it to wisdom and fear of God.


Home
The Motive of the Month of May
The edging, Flowers and other Details
The History of the Baldishol Tapestry
The Weaving technique of the Baldishol Tapestry