The month of May is generally considered the season of love and the birth of a new life. The green of May was a symbol of strength and good growth. The tree, which in this context is referred to as May, had the most important position among plants in the customs of this period.

Máj is usually built by the bachelor to the girl he is applying for, and their construction is widespread throughout Slovakia. Mainly tall straight trees (most often firs or spruces) stripped of their bark served as may trees. Their tops were decorated with colourful ribbons. The maypoles are built at night, and the following Sunday, young men go around the houses where the maypole stands and collect "fees" for the upcoming entertainment, majáles. The habit of building maypoles has been preserved in a modified form to this day, but usually one wreathed tree is built in the middle of the village or the main square. As a rule, it remains erected throughout the month of Máj, so that it can then be ceremoniously removed during the Máj Day celebrations.

Máj building is also a tradition for the city of Banská Bystrica. The people of Banská Bystrica are building a "central" maypole on the Square of the Slovak National Uprising. The event is accompanied by a cultural programmeme, performances by folklore ensembles, singers, dance groups, etc.