|
|
 |
Origin of Halloween
The origin of the contemporary holiday of Halloween started more then 2000 years ago. There are multiple theories about the beginnings of the "Hallows E'en" or Samhain but these traditions predate Christianity. Nowadays Halloween is enjoyed throughout the world, though the date it is celebrated often differs.
Hallows E'en or Samhain is frequently related with witches, bats, spirits and phantoms in addition to wickedness, the evil spirit, and the occult. Did you ever ask yourself the question why? Certain people are convinced that at this time of the year the world of spirits can communicate with human beings (prepare your Ouija board), and the supernatural is especially accessible.
Early Celts had faith that the light part of the year finished by November 1st and they called this day Samhain what can translated as "end of summer". For them fall as a season did not exist, the next day winter began, which was connected with the end of life. While the night become longer and the soil frosty and bare, the gap connecting material world and world of spirits was opened.
Ancient Celts thought that the door into graves opened from October 31st to November 2nd. This period is not very sunny and this time of the year is regulated by the moon. People were not afraid of death as they are in our days, but it was very important to depart this life with honor. When someone passes away with honor, people were sure that this person would be with their forebears at the Feast of the Dead.
At this time of the year were a lot of celebrations as well as a time of harvest. Communal meals and fun activities were took place to pay respect to the dead. At that point in time Celtic Druid fire festivals took place. For the duration of the festival the Celts dressed in costumes, which where mostly animal heads and furs, and tried to predict each others futures.
A variant tradition describes the 'spirits' of the dead being tricksters. In order to participate in the prank villagers would dress as there opposites; men would dress as a women and women as men. Kids would knock on the neighbors doors demanding foodstuff and sweets.
The tradition of the Celts as well as many other nationalities was to start each day when sun goes down the night before.Samhain was the sunset of “All Hallows Eve” which was finally entitled Hallows E’en, and nowadays it's Halloween.
Initially November 1st was "All Hallows Day" then it was changed into "All Saints Day" and November 2nd became "All Souls Day". People believed that faeries were full of energy at this time of the year. At this “time of the little sun” there were not many activities thatpeople could do so they enjoyed telling stories sitting near their fireplaces.
This celebration was also related to the Roman Church, which organized the Festival of Feralia on this day, a festival to remember people who passed away. The dead were remembered on this holiday not for the end of their life, they were remembered as living souls of people who were loved and guards who kept the source of knowledge for the members of the family. Most of the Halloween customs what we have now are taken from Samhain, the Celtic Druid fire festival.
|
|
 |
|
