1. The origin of the holiday: mysticism and Celtic roots
Halloween originated more than 2000 years ago as part of the ancient Celtic holiday Samin. Samine was a celebration of the end of the agricultural year and the beginning of winter, and during this period, according to the Celts, the boundary between the world of the living and the dead became very thin. People believed that on the night of October 31 to November 1, spirits could return to the earth. To scare away evil spirits, the Celts lit the bonfire and put on terrible masks.
2. Why pumpkin?
Pumpkin, known as Jack's Lantern, is one of Halloween's main symbols. However, at first, these lamps were used not pumpkins, but turnips. The tradition of cutting face on turnip comes from Ireland, where there is a legend about a cunning blacksmith named Jack who deceived the devil. Through his sins, Jack could not get into Paradise or Hell, and therefore was doomed to wander the world forever, illuminating his path of the coal, which he laid in an empty turnip. When the Irish migrated to America, they found that pumpkins were better suited for this tradition because they were larger and softer to cut.
3. "Candy or Death"
The tradition of walking on homes with a request for sweets, known as Trick-Or-Treating, originates in medieval Europe. On the day of all the saints (November 1), the poor went home, asking for food in exchange for prayers for the dead relatives of the owners. This tradition has gradually changed, and in the twentieth century, children began to dress in suits, go home and demand candy, promising in case of refusal to arrange a small joke.
4. Why are the costumes scary?
The idea of dressing up to Halloween is also related to the beliefs about the spirits. The Celts wore masks and suits to frighten the evil spirits or hide their true person. It was believed that when they see a terrible mask, the spirits would think that it is their relative or other spirit, and they would not touch a person.
5. The most commercial holiday after Christmas
Today, Halloween is not just a national or religious holiday, but also a big commercial event. In the US, Halloween is the second most popular commercial holiday after Christmas. Every year on costumes, jewelry, candy and other Halloween attributes, Americans spend billions of dollars.
6. Vampire Games: Costume Transformation
Initially, Halloween costumes were associated with scary characters such as ghosts, witches and demons. However, in the twentieth century, costume traditions have changed, and now Halloween can be found characters from popular films, fairy tales and even cartoons. The popularity of modern superheroes, fantasy-worlds and film industries has contributed to the fact that people began to be creatively approaching the choice of images.
7. Holiday all over the world: Adaptation of traditions
Although Halloween has European roots and the most popular in the United States, it is increasingly celebrated every year in different countries. In Ireland and the United Kingdom, where the holiday began, Halloween is celebrated with costume parties and decorated houses. In Mexico, Halloween coincides with the Day of the Dead, which also has its unique traditions of honoring dead relatives. In Japan, the popularity of the holiday is growing thanks to parties in the style of cosplay.
8. Are black cats afraid of Halloween?
Black cats have long been associated with witchcraft and supernatural forces. In many cultures, it was believed that a black cat that crosses the road brings misfortune. In the Middle Ages, black cats were often associated with witches, so they became a symbol of Halloween. However, today, black cats are more perceived as a stylish and mysterious symbol of the holiday, not as an object of fear.
9. "Hell Night" in front of Halloween
In some parts of the United States, there is a tradition known as "mystical night" or "empty night", which is celebrated on the eve of Halloween, October 30. This evening, young people often arrange pranks and draws that can range from harmless jokes to quite significant wasteland. Although for many it is just a fun addition to celebrations, in some cases, such pranks can get out of control.
10. Sweet Halloween Statistics
On Halloween, children receive a huge amount of sweets. Interestingly, the most popular candy in the US are chocolate bars, especially such as Snickers and Reese's. According to statistics, during Halloween, children consume an average of about 7000 calories per night - which is much higher than the recommended daily rate!
Conclusion
Halloween is a unique holiday that combines ancient beliefs, modern traditions and a commercial component. Regardless of whether you celebrate it with mystical rituals, decorated with houses or cheerful costume parties, Halloween always gives the opportunity to escape from everyday life and immerse yourself in an atmosphere of fear, mystery and magic.
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