Word-Of-the-Week #795: Halloween

October 31, 2019 by · Comments Off on Word-Of-the-Week #795: Halloween 

Halloweenwhat today is. 😊

I thought it would be FUN to share how Halloween started.

Its origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago, mostly in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1.

This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth.

To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other’s fortunes.

When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter.

In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints; soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating sweet treats.

And since I am in Mexico, I am sharing what I will be experiencing! Dia de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is not a Mexican version of Halloween. Though related, the two annual events differ greatly in traditions and tone.

Whereas Halloween is a dark night of terror and mischief, Day of the Dead festivities unfold over two days in an explosion of color and life-affirming joy. Sure, the theme is death, but the point is to demonstrate love and respect for deceased family members. In towns and cities throughout Mexico, revelers don funky makeup and costumes, hold parades and parties, sing and dance, and make offerings to lost loved ones.

The rituals are rife with symbolic meaning. The more you understand about this feast for the senses, the more you will appreciate it. Click the link if to find out the Top 10 things to know about the Day of the Dead.

And when I get back I’m sure I will have some great stories and pix to share. Have a FUN Halloween!

I LOVE feedback! Join my Facebook community on my FUN-damentals Fan Page.

Flickr

March 28, 2009 by · Comments Off on Flickr 

This is a test post from flickr, a fancy photo sharing thing.

Video Test

March 28, 2009 by · Comments Off on Video Test 

Site Map

December 17, 2008 by · Comments Off on Site Map 

This is a site map of our entire site.

Terms of Use

December 17, 2008 by · Comments Off on Terms of Use 

These are our terms of use.

« Previous PageNext Page »