A history of Halloween from around the world
Being that Canada is a multicultural country, it is important to know Halloween is celebrated in different parts of the world.
To start, it is interesting to know the story behind Halloween. Halloween is a day celebrated mostly by children in costumes who go door-to-door collecting sweets.
The term Halloween is the shortened form of All-hallow-eve, as it is the evening before “All Hallows Day”, All Saints Day, which is celebrated on November 1. Halloween was also sometimes called All Saints' Eve.
The holiday was a day of religious festivities in various northern European pagan traditions, until it was appropriated by Christian missionaries and given a Christian interpretation.
Halloween's theme is scary things particularly involving death, magic, or mythical monsters. Pumpkins and scare crows are also symbols of Halloween.
The carved jack-o'-lantern, lit by a candle inside, is one of Halloween's most important symbols. Many families that celebrate Halloween carve a pumpkin into a frightening or comical face and place it on their home's doorstep after dark.
In Canada, Halloween celebrations began with the arrival of Scottish and Irish immigrants in the 1800s. Jack o'-lanterns were carved and the festivities included parties, trick-or-treating and the decorating of homes with pumpkins.
Sixty-five per cent of Americans decorate their homes and offices for Halloween. In the United States trick-or-treaters are welcomed by placing lighted pumpkins in their windows.
The main event of modern US-style Halloween is trick-or-treating, where children dress up in costume disguises and go door-to-door in their neighbourhood, ringing each doorbell and yelling “trick or treat!”
In England, the black cat was considered to be good luck, whereas a white cat was considered to be bad luck. The children make “pumpkin men” from large pumpkins. They cut out designs into the pumpkin. Then they place them on display in their windows to go along with the scary theme of Halloween.
In Austria, some people will leave bread, water and a lighted lamp on the table before retiring on Halloween night. The reason for this is because it was once believed such items would welcome the dead souls back to earth on a night which for the Austrians was considered to be full of strong cosmic energies.
In China, the Halloween festival is known as Teng Chieh. Food and water are placed in front of photographs of family members who passed away, while lanterns are lit in order to light the paths of the spirits as they travel the earth on Halloween night.
Worshippers in Buddhist temples make boats from paper, some of which are very large, which are then burned in the evening hours. The purpose of this custom is a remembrance of the dead and to free the spirits of the “pretas” in order that they might ascend to heaven. “Pretas” are the spirits of those who died as a result of an accident or drowning and whose bodies were consequently never buried.
In Germany, the people put away their knives on Halloween night. The reason for this is because they did not want to risk harm befalling the returning spirits.
In Ireland, believed to be the birthplace of Halloween, the tradition is still celebrated as much as it is in the United States. In rural areas, bonfires are lit as they were in the days of the Celts and children dress up in costumes to spend the evening “trick-or-treating” in their neighbourhoods.
The Irish also play a card game where cards are laid face-down on a table with sweets or coins beneath them. When a child selects a card, he or she receives whatever prize might be found there.
A traditional food is eaten on Halloween called “barnbrack.” This is a type of fruitcake, which can be baked at home or store-bought. A muslin-wrapped treat is baked inside the cake. It is said that this treat can predict the future of the one who finds it. If the treat is a ring, then that person will soon get married and a piece of straw means a prosperous year is forthcoming.
Among Spanish-speaking nations, Halloween is known as “El Dia de los Muertos,” or The Day of the Dead.
In Mexico, and in several Latin-American countries, families construct an altar in their home and decorate it with candy, flowers, photographs, fresh water and samples of the deceased's favourite foods and drinks.
Frequently, a basin and towel are left out in order that the spirit can wash prior to indulging in the feast. Candles and incense are burned to help the departed find his or her way home.
It is a joyous and happy holiday, a time to remember friends and family who have died. Children enjoy going trick or treating and dressing up.
Worldwide, a child usually “grows out” of trick-or-treating by his or her teenage years. Trick-or-treating by teenagers is accepted, but generally discouraged with genial ribbing by those handing out candy. Teenagers and adults instead often celebrate Halloween with costume parties, staying home to give out candy, listening to Halloween music, or scaring people.
Have fun on Halloween and don't forget to be safe!
To start, it is interesting to know the story behind Halloween. Halloween is a day celebrated mostly by children in costumes who go door-to-door collecting sweets.
The term Halloween is the shortened form of All-hallow-eve, as it is the evening before “All Hallows Day”, All Saints Day, which is celebrated on November 1. Halloween was also sometimes called All Saints' Eve.
The holiday was a day of religious festivities in various northern European pagan traditions, until it was appropriated by Christian missionaries and given a Christian interpretation.
Halloween's theme is scary things particularly involving death, magic, or mythical monsters. Pumpkins and scare crows are also symbols of Halloween.
The carved jack-o'-lantern, lit by a candle inside, is one of Halloween's most important symbols. Many families that celebrate Halloween carve a pumpkin into a frightening or comical face and place it on their home's doorstep after dark.
In Canada, Halloween celebrations began with the arrival of Scottish and Irish immigrants in the 1800s. Jack o'-lanterns were carved and the festivities included parties, trick-or-treating and the decorating of homes with pumpkins.
Sixty-five per cent of Americans decorate their homes and offices for Halloween. In the United States trick-or-treaters are welcomed by placing lighted pumpkins in their windows.
The main event of modern US-style Halloween is trick-or-treating, where children dress up in costume disguises and go door-to-door in their neighbourhood, ringing each doorbell and yelling “trick or treat!”
In England, the black cat was considered to be good luck, whereas a white cat was considered to be bad luck. The children make “pumpkin men” from large pumpkins. They cut out designs into the pumpkin. Then they place them on display in their windows to go along with the scary theme of Halloween.
In Austria, some people will leave bread, water and a lighted lamp on the table before retiring on Halloween night. The reason for this is because it was once believed such items would welcome the dead souls back to earth on a night which for the Austrians was considered to be full of strong cosmic energies.
In China, the Halloween festival is known as Teng Chieh. Food and water are placed in front of photographs of family members who passed away, while lanterns are lit in order to light the paths of the spirits as they travel the earth on Halloween night.
Worshippers in Buddhist temples make boats from paper, some of which are very large, which are then burned in the evening hours. The purpose of this custom is a remembrance of the dead and to free the spirits of the “pretas” in order that they might ascend to heaven. “Pretas” are the spirits of those who died as a result of an accident or drowning and whose bodies were consequently never buried.
In Germany, the people put away their knives on Halloween night. The reason for this is because they did not want to risk harm befalling the returning spirits.
In Ireland, believed to be the birthplace of Halloween, the tradition is still celebrated as much as it is in the United States. In rural areas, bonfires are lit as they were in the days of the Celts and children dress up in costumes to spend the evening “trick-or-treating” in their neighbourhoods.
The Irish also play a card game where cards are laid face-down on a table with sweets or coins beneath them. When a child selects a card, he or she receives whatever prize might be found there.
A traditional food is eaten on Halloween called “barnbrack.” This is a type of fruitcake, which can be baked at home or store-bought. A muslin-wrapped treat is baked inside the cake. It is said that this treat can predict the future of the one who finds it. If the treat is a ring, then that person will soon get married and a piece of straw means a prosperous year is forthcoming.
Among Spanish-speaking nations, Halloween is known as “El Dia de los Muertos,” or The Day of the Dead.
In Mexico, and in several Latin-American countries, families construct an altar in their home and decorate it with candy, flowers, photographs, fresh water and samples of the deceased's favourite foods and drinks.
Frequently, a basin and towel are left out in order that the spirit can wash prior to indulging in the feast. Candles and incense are burned to help the departed find his or her way home.
It is a joyous and happy holiday, a time to remember friends and family who have died. Children enjoy going trick or treating and dressing up.
Worldwide, a child usually “grows out” of trick-or-treating by his or her teenage years. Trick-or-treating by teenagers is accepted, but generally discouraged with genial ribbing by those handing out candy. Teenagers and adults instead often celebrate Halloween with costume parties, staying home to give out candy, listening to Halloween music, or scaring people.
Have fun on Halloween and don't forget to be safe!
