Halloween
History & origin
The popularity of Halloween is growing. Americans spend over $5 billion dollars annually on Halloween, making it the country's second largest commercial holiday. In addition, a quarter of all annual candy sales occur during the Halloween season in the United States. I`m sure that millions of people celebrate Halloween without knowing its origin and history, but it makes this holiday even more fascinating.
Modern day celebrations generally involve groups of children dressed in
scary costumes roaming from house to house, demanding "trick-or-treat". Sometimes we decorate our houses with pumpkins carved into jack-o'-lanterns, candles, artificial bats, spiders and so on. For some of us it`s a time of putting on costumes, telling spooky stories, watching scary movies on TV and having theme parties. For others it`s a time of
superstitions, ghosts and evil spirits that should be avoided at
all costs.
Halloween is celebrated on the night of 31st October, the last day of the Celtic calendar.
It was
originally a pagan holiday, honoring the dead. There are many versions of the origins and old customs of
Halloween. Different cultures view this holiday somewhat differently, but traditional Halloween practices remain
the same.
Halloween's roots go a long way back in history and lay in the feast of Samhain,
which was annually on October 31st. Samhain signifies "summers end". It was a harvest
festival which was celebrated with huge bonfires, marking the end of the Celtic year and
beginning of a new one. The Celts believed the souls of the dead roamed the streets and villages
at night. Since not all spirits were friendly, gifts and
treats were left out to pacify the evil and ensure next years crops would be
plentiful.
Today it`s difficult to say whether a Christian should celebrate Halloween. As a logical thinking person, consider for a moment what you are celebrating and what Halloween is all about.
Halloween traditions around the world
1. Ireland and Scotland
Today, both Ireland and Scotland celebrate Halloween with bonfires, games, and traditional foods like barmbrack,
an Irish fruitcake that contains coins, buttons, and rings for
fortunetelling. For example, rings mean marriage, while coins mean
wealth in the upcoming year.
2. Mexico
From November 1 to November 2, Mexico and parts of Latin America celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) to honor those who have passed away. It is believed that the Gates of Heaven open up at midnight on October 31 and the souls of children return to Earth to be reunited with their families for 24 hours. On November 2, the souls of adults come down from heaven to join in the festivities. The holiday is celebrated with in-home altars full of fruit, peanuts, turkey, soda, hot chocolate, water, stacks of tortillas and a special holiday bread called pan de muerto (bread of the dead), which are left as offerings for weary ghosts. For the souls of children, families leave out toys and candy, while adult souls receive cigarettes and shots of mezcal.
3. Japan
At the end of every October for the past 21 years, nearly 4000 costumed people from all around the world gather in
Kawasaki, just outside Tokyo, for the Kawasaki Halloween Parade,
which is the biggest parade of its kind in Japan. However, not everyone
can simply join in the festivities. The Kawasaki Halloween Parade has
strict guidelines and standards, so you have to apply for entry two
months before the parade begins.
4. Hong Kong
On the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, which is around mid-August to mid-September, the people of Hong Kong celebrate the Hungry Ghost Festival. In several parts of East Asia, people believe that spirits get restless around this time of year and begin to roam the world. The festival is a way to "feed" these spirits. But instead of just putting out food and lighting lanterns, they often burn items for the dead, including fruit and money.
5.Germany
People in this country celebrate the event in the same way as the others in Europe, but they have one very strange tradition. During this day many hide their kitchen knives, so that returning spirits won't be accidentally harmed or use the same knives to harm the living.
6. France
Unlike most
nations of the world, Halloween is not celebrated by the French in order
to honor the dead and departed ancestors. It is regarded as an
"American" holiday in France and was virtually unknown in the country
until around 1996.
7. Sweden
In Sweden Halloween is known as "Alla Helgons Dag" and is celebrated from October 31 until November 6. The Friday is always a short day for universities, offices and a day of vacation for school-age children.
All Saints` Day and All Souls` Day
On November 1, many Catholics around the world celebrate All Saints' Day, followed by All Souls' Day on November 2. It's an annual time to honor the lives of the saints who died for their Catholic beliefs, as well as the souls of dead family members. During these days people go to mass and visit the graves of their relatives. A couple of days before they turn the country's cemeteries into a beautiful display of colours leaving different fresh flowers and red candles on the graves. Having dinner they don`t forget to set a place at the table for those spirits they hope will pay a visit.
Sources:
https://www.halloween-website.com/history.htm
https://www.novareinna.com/festive/world.html