How did Halloween come about? Why do you need to dress up in costumes of evil spirits and catch apples with your teeth on October 31? Find out in our article - in it everything you need to know about the history and traditions of this holiday
The history of this holiday started several centuries ago in the lands of modern Great Britain and northern France. Celtic pagan tribes lived in these territories, dividing the calendar year into winter and summer parts. According to their beliefs, during the entire winter period, the sun god was held captive by Sowin, who was the lord of the dead and the prince of darkness.
On November 1, the Celtic people held the Sowin Festival. According to an ancient legend, on the night of October 31 to November 1, doors to the otherworldly worlds were opened, and the inhabitants of hell safely penetrated to Earth. At night, bonfires were actively lit and, in order to appease the evil spirits, sacrifices were made to them. The beginning of our era was marked by the seizure of the Celtic land by the Romans, who brought with them new traditions.
In the 9th century, after the spread of Christianity in British territory, there was a mixture of ancient traditions with the holiday "All Hallows Even" (Catholic Day of All Saints). After some time, the holiday became known as Halloween (Halloween). And every year it is celebrated on October 31, on the eve of All Saints Day.
Halloween main symbol
Jack's Lamp is the main symbol of the holiday. It is based on a pumpkin in which an ominous, grinning face is carved. A lighted candle is placed inside the pumpkin. Where this name comes from, explains the legend. According to her, the drunkard Jack lived a long time ago. One day he was drinking with the Devil himself. To deceive the owner of the inn, Jack invited his "drinking companion" to turn into a coin. The sly man put it in his pocket, which contained a pectoral cross. So, the unclean was trapped. For Jack to release him, he promised not to take him to hell after his death.
And he fulfilled his promise. But here's the hitch - Jack's paradise after death was also not allowed for his numerous sins. So his soul has been wandering around the world since then, holding in his hands a pumpkin-lamp, into which the devil threw a coal.
Of course, Halloween costume is the main tradition of this holiday. As a rule, people dress up in costumes of various evil spirits, supernatural characters, gnomes, trolls, vampires and other creepy things. Now this is done to fool around. And before, people believed that such re-vesting would protect them from evil spirits that descend to earth at this time. Like, she will take them for her own and will not touch them.
Traditional Halloween games
The most popular Halloween game is apple catching. Many apples are thrown into a large basin of water and they need to be fished out with your teeth, without touching them with your hands.
Another traditional game is to catch, again without the help of hands, with only teeth, a wheat cake soaked in honey suspended from a rope.
And, of course, the main "attraction" is the extortion of sweets. "Sweets or death!" - such an ultimatum is given by companies of mummers walking from house to house. And, of course, they get their sweet reward.
