Children in costumes race from house to house asking for treats. A carved pumpkin, called a jack-o’-lantern, grins from a porch as the children pass. According to legend, jack-o’-lanterns protect people in their homes from ghostly spirits.
It’s all part of the fun on Halloween! The roots of Halloween stretch back thousands of years and borrow customs from several parts of the world.
WHAT IS HALLOWEEN?
Halloween is a holiday celebrated on October 31. By tradition, Halloween begins after sunset. Long ago, people believed that witches gathered together and ghosts roamed the world on Halloween. Today, most people no longer believe in ghosts and witches. But these supernatural beings are still a part of Halloween.
The colors black and orange are also a part of Halloween. Black is a symbol for night and orange is the color of pumpkins. A jack-o’-lantern is a hollowed-out pumpkin with a face carved on one side. Candles are usually placed inside, giving the face a spooky glow.
DRESSING IN COSTUMES
Dressing in masks and costumes is a popular Halloween activity. Costumes can be traditional and scary, such as a witch’s pointy hat and black gown. Costumes may also have a modern flavor. Many children dress up as movie characters or a favorite superhero.
But Halloween is not just for children. Many adults enjoy showing off their costumes at Halloween parties!
TRICK-OR-TREATING
Once in costume, children go from house to house saying “Trick or treat!” In the past, children might play a “trick” on people who did not give treats. They might pelt houses with eggs or old tomatoes, or play other pranks. Today, children’s cries of “Trick or treat!” are usually rewarded with candy.
HOW HALLOWEEN GOT STARTED
One of the oldest Halloween traditions comes from the ancient Celts, who lived in western and central Europe long ago. The Celts celebrated a holiday
y called Sa amhain on October 31. After sunset that day, people believed that spirits of the dead would rise and walk the earth. The Celts made offerings of food and drink to keep the spirits away.
Beginning about 2,000 years ago, the Roman Empire conquered many Celtic peoples. But Celtic traditions, including Samhain, remained strong in areas such as Ireland and Scotland, even after the Roman conquest.
The Roman Catholic Church tried to replace Samhain in 835 with All Saints’ Day, a day to honor saints of the Church. The eve of All Saints’ Day is October 31. It is called Allhallows or Hallowmas by the Church.
HOW DID HALLOWEEN COME TO AMERICA?
Halloween first came to America with early settlers from Celtic areas in Europe, such as Ireland and Scotland. But other American settlers with strict religious beliefs, including the Puritans from England, rejected Halloween. The arrival of many Irish immigrants during the 1800s helped spread Halloween’s popularity.
But by the late 1800s, fewer people believed in ancient superstitions of ghosts and witches. Halloween became more a holiday for children to receive treats and dress in costume.
兒童服裝競賽挨家挨戶要求對待。,南瓜,稱爲的南瓜燈笑容從玄關,孩子們通過。根據傳說,南瓜燈保護人們從可怕的精神家園。
這是所有的一部分樂趣在萬聖節!萬聖節的根源可以追溯到數千年,借世界海關從幾個地方。
萬聖節是什麼?
萬聖節是一個10月31日慶祝的節日。按照傳統,萬聖節在日落之後開始。很久以前,人們相信女巫聚集和萬聖節鬼在世界。今天,大多數人不再相信幽靈和巫婆。但這些超自然仍然是一個萬聖節的一部分。
顏色黑色和橙色也是萬聖節的一部分。黑色象徵着晚上和橙色是南瓜的顏色。鬼火是一箇中空的南瓜臉雕刻的一側。蠟燭通常放在,面臨着一個令人毛骨悚然的發光。
穿着特別的服裝
穿着面具和服裝是一個流行的萬聖節活動。服裝是傳統和可怕的,比如一個女巫的尖尖的帽子和黑色的禮服。服裝也有現代氣息。許多孩子裝扮成電影人物或最喜歡的超級英雄。
但是萬聖節不僅僅是爲了孩子。許多成年人喜歡炫耀他們的服裝在萬聖節派對!
不給糖就搗亂
一次服裝,孩子們挨家挨戶說“不給糖就搗蛋!“在過去,孩子們可能會扮演一個“技巧”沒有給對的人。他們可能與雞蛋或毛皮房子舊西紅柿,或玩其他的`惡作劇。今天,孩子們的叫喊起來,“不給糖就搗蛋!“通常得到糖果。
萬聖節是怎麼開始
最古老的萬聖節傳統之一來自於古老的凱爾特人,很久以前住在歐洲西部和中部。凱爾特人慶祝一個節日
y稱爲Sa amhain 10月31日。日落之後那一天,人們相信死者的靈魂會上升,地球走。凱爾特人的食品和飲料保持精神獻祭。
大約在2000年前開始,羅馬帝國征服了許多凱爾特民族。但凱爾特傳統,包括夏末節,保持強勁的地區如愛爾蘭和蘇格蘭,即使在羅馬征服。
羅馬天主教會試圖取代835年夏末節所有聖徒的日子,紀念聖徒教會的一天。萬聖節前夕是10月31日。它被稱爲萬聖節或萬聖節的教堂。
萬聖節是怎麼來美國嗎?
萬聖節從凱爾特地區第一次來到美國早期定居者在歐洲,比如愛爾蘭和蘇格蘭。但其他美國定居者與嚴格的宗教信仰,包括從英國來的清教徒,拒絕了萬聖節。許多愛爾蘭移民的到來在1800年代幫助傳播萬聖節的聲望。
但到1800年代末,更少的人相信幽靈和巫婆古老的迷信。萬聖節變得更加的節日孩子接受治療和穿着服飾。
