mercredi 3 octobre 2012

History And Tradition of Halloween Holiday

By Bill Johnson


Halloween is a great time of the year. Not only for kids but for men and women as well. After all, what person doesn't love getting dressed up as their favorite ghoul, goblin, super hero, or bad guy, and head out trick-or-treating or to a Halloween occasion. Halloween is an event observed around the globe and in almost every nation. There are seasonal and religious connections and has been in existence for almost 500 years.

There is some supposition on the beginning of Halloween(not the name) but the celebration. Several researchers link it to the Roman feast of Pomona, who was the goddess of fruits and seeds. Some others believe it began as Parentalia, the "festival of the dead". It is nevertheless, more often associated with the Celtic festival labeled as Samhain, a Gaelic occasion that honors the conclusion of summer.

Certainly the name "Halloween" is more popularly related to the Scottish variant of "All-Hallows-Eve", or, the night prior to All-Hallows-Day or All Saints day. It originated in 1556, and through the generations All-Hallows-Eve evolved into Halloween. Halloween is October 31st, and it is recognized worldwide, though not all cultures commemorate on this date. A few nations around the world celebrate on the second Tuesday in December.

Halloween has a great deal of symbolism and imagery that has changed over the years and several cultures and movements have contributed to it. Most notably are the Jack-o'-lantern, Dracula, ghosts, death, evil, and dark scary themes. Black and orange are Halloween's official colors. Halloween has spawned a whole industry of costume manufacturers and each year the most recent craze of popular movies and characters adds to offerings.

There's also several activities that have become traditions of Halloween. Trick-or-treating is among the most preferred. Kids across the country dress up and go house to house within their neighborhoods amassing candy and sweets. There are Halloween parties, prank playing, games which include bobbing for apples, and attending haunted houses & graveyards.

Popular foods at Halloween are candy or caramel apples, candy corn, popcorn, apple cider, and baked pumpkin seeds. Several other cultures have traditional foods they prepare for example Ireland's barmbrack which is a fruit bread.

Halloween represents the season of the harvest and the conclusion of summer. Fall or Autumn in the northern hemisphere is when the weather turns cool and cultures harvest their crops in preparation of winter. Many people assert it is their favorite season citing cooler weather, back to school, the beginning of the American Football season, and several other reasons. All in all it is a great time and remains an important part of the calendar year.




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