At the end of October, children and adults all over the world eagerly await Halloween. But why does Halloween happen on October 31? What's special about Halloween in each country?
Why does Halloween take place on October 31?
Halloween festival originates from the holiday "The Celtic Festival of Samhain" of the Celts people who lived about 2,000 years ago in what is now the territory of England and northern France.
On the night of October 31, "The Celtic Festival of Samhain" was held by the Celts to commemorate and honor Saint Samhain, the lord of the souls of the dead. They believe that Saint Samhain allows souls to return to earth to visit their families and celebrate Tet on the night of October 31.
The end of October is also an occasion for the Celts to offer sacrifices to thank them for what nature has given them, praying for a prosperous new year and bountiful crops. In honor of Saint Samhain, the Celts used to light large bonfires on the hills to pay respects to the gods and to ward off evil spirits.
After that, each person will take an ember from that fire, put it in turnips or gourds and squash and bring it home. In order not to be disturbed by wandering spirits, they dress up and carve horror faces on those gourds and squash. This custom continues to this day on Halloween.
Halloween in North America
Halloween was introduced to the United States by Irish and Scottish immigrants and has become a major folk festival in the United States and Canada. On this holiday, children often play trick or treat.
They will wear costumes and masks and then go from house to house, knocking on the door to meet the owner and say “trick or treat.” This sentence means: "If you want us to not play bad, then treat us to something."
In order to avoid being played badly, the owners often give them candy, cakes, fruits, maybe they even give them money.
Halloween Festival in Mexico
In the fall in Mexico, monarch butterflies fly back to nest on fir trees and people here believe that these butterflies are the embodiment of the souls of the deceased.
On Halloween, Mexicans decorate their home altars with bread, candles, flowers, and fruit. Candles are lit in memory of deceased ancestors.
In the evening, they dress up in ghost clothes and parade through the streets with a living person placed in a coffin. After that, they will visit the cemetery, decorate the graves of their loved ones and stay there all night.
Halloween festival in European countries
In the UK, the focus of Halloween is the burning bonfires on the streets. Unlike other places, these bonfires are not meant to ward off wandering spirits but to reference the story of Guy Fawkes, who intended to blow up Council House in London in 1605. Guy Fawkes' effigy burned during the carnival.
In Germany, people celebrate Halloween with extreme joy. In addition to the pumpkin lights, the carnival is the activity that attracts the most people. In the costumes of the traditional characters, of the witches..., they danced, sang around the big bonfires day and night...
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