万圣节英语简介
万圣节是西方国家的'传统节日，许多成年人喜欢万圣节前夕和万圣节前夕晚会。因为这一天他们可以根据自己的想象把自己装扮成名流或幽灵。这会带给他们年轻的快感。下面由yjbys小编跟大家介绍一下万圣节吧!
【The History Halloween】
Halloween is on October 31st, the last day of the Celtic calendar. It was originally a pagan holiday, honoring the dead. Halloween was referred to as All Hallows Eve and dates back to over 2000 years ago.
All Hallows Eve is the evening before All Saints Day, which was created by Christians to convert pagans, and is celebrated on November 1st. The Catholic church honored saints on this designated day.
【The Origin of Halloween】
While there are many versions of the origins and old customs of Halloween, some remain consistent by all accounts. Different cultures view Halloween somewhat differently but traditional Halloween practices remain the same.
Halloween culture can be traced back to the Druids, a Celtic culture in Ireland, Britain and Northern Europe. Roots lay in the feast of Samhain, which was annually on October 31st to honor the dead.
Samhain signifies "summers end" or November. Samhain was a harvest festival with huge sacred bonfires, marking the end of the Celtic year and beginning of a new one. Many of the practices involved in this celebration were fed on superstition.
The Celts believed the souls of the dead roamed the streets and villages at night. Since not all spirits were thought to be friendly, gifts and treats were left out to pacify the evil and ensure next years crops would be plentiful. This custom evolved into trick-or-treating.
【The origins of the name】
The festival of Halloween has its roots in Celtic and Roman traditions. Over 2,000 years ago the Celts in Britain, Ireland and parts of France celebrated Samhain to mark the beginning of winter. When the Romans invaded, they merged this with Feralia, their celebration of the passing of the dead. As Christianity spread, the Church tried to replace these pagan feasts with official Church holy days. One of these was November 1. It was called “All Hallows”, and October 31 was known as“All Hallows Eve”, and then Halloween.
【Halloween traditions】
In the past there was a tradition called “souling”. Poor people went around houses asking for food. In exchange, they promised to say prayers for the dead. People no longer go souling, but the habit has beentransformed into a modern Halloween game for children in America,who dress up as ghosts, witches and monsters and go around peopleshouses.
【Witches】
Halloween wouldnt be fun without witches. Witches have alwaysbeen part of popular folklore. Shakespeares play “Macbeth” opens withthree witches. A witchwas someone — usually a woman— who hadspecial powers and had dealings with the devil. The American town,Salem, is famous for the “witchcraft trials”, which took place there in1692.
【Pumpkins】
The pumpkin has become a symbol of Halloween.People empty a pumpkin, cut a face into the side, and puta candle inside to make a lamp. Its known as a Jack O Lantern, from a story about a man called Jack, who made a deal with the devil.
【Animals】
Black cats, frogs, mice and spiders are just some of the animals associated with Halloween. Generally, the more unpleasant the animal,the stronger the Halloween connection. Nocturnal animals like bats are particular favourites, and if, as is the case with vampire bats, they like drinking blood, they are highon the Halloween list.
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