Halloween originated in Ireland. In a small mountainous country this pagan holiday was celebrated in late autumn. And it was called, Samhain. It was considered that the change of the year is the struggle of the forces of heaven and earth. Believed that on the night of Samhain the souls of the dead roam among the people. That they can possess the bodies of living people and be reborn to life. Therefore, the people dressed in costumes of evil spirits - to confuse the souls of the dead.
In the VII century the influence of the Christian Church increased, and the pagan holiday became a Church one. Pope Boniface approved November 1 As the day of all Saints. Catholic all Saints ' Day-All Hallows Eve-later became known as Halloween.
Of particular importance in Halloween is the fire. It is a symbol of unity of the people, revival of life from death. On the night of Samhain, they lit a fire on the top of the sacred hill of Usneh and carried it to all the houses. Later there was a legend about Jack, who is destined to roam the world in the dark with a lamp. And in America, Irish immigrants to lamp added pumpkin. So the candle-lit pumpkin became the main symbol of Halloween.
Halloween (Halloween) is new enough to the Russian holiday — one of the oldest festivals in the world. Its history goes back thousands of years. It strangely combines the Celtic tradition of honoring evil spirits and the Christian tradition of worshipping all saints. Every year in Russia it becomes more and more popular. This extra reason to have fun, to fool around. It is believed that this is the day when you can meet evil spirits on the street!
In Russia, Halloween is mostly celebrated by young people. At English lessons in schools and institutes also often arrange a costume show! Entertainment venues on the night of October 31 prepare themed parties: decorate the halls in the appropriate black and orange colors, lanterns of pumpkins, etc.
Halloween is a fun holiday when costumed children go from house to house, demanding treats and gifts, threatening stingy owners revenge of the evil forces. The symbol of all Saints ' Day was the "pumpkin head" - a lantern made of pumpkin with slots in the form of eyes and toothy mouth, as well as a witch in the broom. On the eve of the holiday, a lantern with a lit candle can be put on the window, so that the evil spirits wandering around do not come into the house, thinking that he is already busy with someone from his own.
You can have a Halloween party at home, too. With the help of adults make the symbol of the holiday. To do this, take a pumpkin of small size. The most difficult thing is to extract the flesh from it and make slots for the eyes and mouth. Bottom pumpkin illuminated by a candle. You can put it directly on the holiday table, and after dinner — on the window "face" on the street.