Halloween 🎃 is one of the oldest holidays in the world that has survived to this day. It is about 2,000 years old. So, the Halloween: history and traditions:
Halloween: history and traditions🎃: on the night of October 31 to November 1 🎃.
In many countries, Halloween is celebrated on the night of October 31 to November 1.
The history of Halloween originates from the harvest festival of Samhain, celebrated by Irish and Scottish cultures on the night of October 31. It was believed that on this day, winter descended upon the Earth, marking the time to gather the harvest and prepare for the cold.
The Celts believed that on this day, the doors to the otherworld. The realm of the dead, opened, allowing spirits to appear among the living. To protect themselves, people would dress in animal skins and perform sacrifices. They also extinguished the fire in their homes. Laid out treats for the spirits outside. Dressed in skins, they would head to a communal bonfire (which was lit by the Druids). Afterward, they would carry a portion of the sacred fire home and place it in a pumpkin.
The Celts believed that all these rituals would protect them from evil spirits.
On November 1, the Celts honored the Sun God, asking him to grant them life and a good harvest. November 1 marked the Celtic New Year.
When the Romans conquered the Celts, their traditions changed. Instead, the great autumn festival continued to be celebrated on November 1.
In the Middle Ages, November 1 was named All Saints’ Day. It was believed that on this day, all the deceased were honored. In this way, the church attempted to eradicate pagan rituals.
Despite the efforts of the church, the rituals have not disappeared. It is still believed that November 1st is a bright church holiday. While the evening of October 31st is a time for magic and superstitions.
After the mass emigration of the Irish and Scots to the United States, the holiday began to be celebrated in that country as well.
All Saints’ Day lasts for one night. In ancient times, people believed that on October 31st, all evil spirits awaken, transform into animals, and wander among people. There is a version that spirits come back to their former homes on this day. To check how the new owners are living.
Halloween: History and Traditions – What is Traditionally Done? 🎃
From history, it is customary to make a spooky face out of a pumpkin and leave it on the doorstep or windowsill on Halloween. It was believed that this would ward off evil spirits. In the past, such lanterns were made from turnips. Pumpkins were adopted by English immigrants in North America. The pumpkin face created by those celebrating Halloween is called a “Jack-o’-lantern.” According to legend, there was a boy named Jack. His soul was dark, and his deeds were terrible, so when the Devil came to him, he was not surprised.
On the way to Hell, Jack saw an apple tree. So convinced the Devil to climb the tree and pick some fruit. When the Devil climbed the tree, Jack took a knife from his pocket and carved a cross into the trunk. This symbol made the Devil sit in the tree. Jack made a deal with him—he said he would help the Devil get down if he promised never to take Jack’s soul. The Devil agreed.
How the Jack-o’-lantern Came to Be 🎃
Time passed, Jack died, and no one came for his soul. Because of his sins, his brothers did not want him in Heaven. So he went to the Devil and asked to take him. But the Devil was angry with Jack for deceiving him and banished him. He told Jack to go back to where he came from and threw a hot coal at him. Jack caught it and placed it inside a turnip he was holding. This was the only thing that could stave off his hunger. The turnip glowed from the burning coal inside. Thus, Jack wandered the world in search of a home for his dark soul.
This is how the Jack-o’-lantern came to be. But now pumpkins are used instead of turnips.
In countries that celebrate the holiday, homes are decorated in advance. Children, and sometimes adults, dress up in scary and not-so-scary costumes on the night of October 31 and go door-to-door, asking: “Trick or treat!” This meant that if they did not receive money or candy, the homeowners would face trouble.
If the brave felt the desire to personally confirm the existence of evil spirits, they would wear their clothes inside out and walk backward down the street at midnight. It was believed that in this case, an encounter with evil spirits would be inevitable.
Main Attributes of the Holiday
- Pumpkin (Jack-o’-lantern) – A regular pumpkin with a carved sinister smile, inside of which is placed a candle (or a piece of charcoal, if available). Creating a “lantern” is very simple. According to legend, this item is supposed to help souls find their way in purgatory or to ward off evil spirits from the home.
- Candy – It is advisable to stock up on sweets to avoid bringing misfortune to the household.
- Costume – In the past, a costume made of skins was a disguise from evil spirits. But now it is just for fun. The most popular costumes are zombies, ghosts, vampires, and the scarier, the better.
- Music – The recognized anthem of Halloween is Danny Elfman’s composition “This Is Halloween.” It became the soundtrack to the cult animated film “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Atmospheric compositions with creepy sound effects. Exactly what you need to listen to on this spooky night.
For Ukraine, the Halloween holiday is relatively new and not familiar to the Christian mentality. However, young people have taken to it wholeheartedly. Various shows in many establishments, themed parties in clubs and cafes, home celebrations, and mass city zombie walks. All indicate that Halloween is welcomed across Ukraine as an officially interesting holiday.