Halloween originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, this festival was celebrated on October 31st which was the last night before their New Year. This festival symbolized the beginning of Winter which they associated with human death. On this night it was believed that the boundary between the living and dead became blurred, which many of us may have learned from the Disney channel movie 'Halloween Town'. Presently Halloween is still celebrated around the world but, with differing rituals and ideas.
1. The United States of America
Halloween in America occurs on October 31st. On this day children from all over America dress up to be anything they want and go door to door trick or treating to receive candy. Haunted houses, Halloween parties and horror movies become extremely popular around the time of Halloween.
2. Mexico
Mexico celebrates the Day of The Dead also called All Soul's and All Saints Day. This Catholic holiday honors their deceased loved ones. It is believed that the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on October 31st and the spirits of deceased children reunite with their family for twenty-four hours and then on November 2nd the spirits of adults come down to enjoy the festivals that were prepared for them. Sugar skulls are an important tradition within this holiday, they are used to represent a departed soul and to honor the return of a particular spirit.
3.Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic Dusicky is celebrated which is a commemoration of all the departed, it is celebrated on November 2nd. This is celebrated by visiting the graveyards of their deceased loved ones and bringing flowers or lighting candles in memory of them. It may also be celebrated by gathering around a fireside and placing chairs to represent the living family members and chairs to commemorate the deceased family members.
4. China
In China the Teng Chieh festival is celebrated also known as the Ghost Festival. This festival is celebrated on the 14th night of the seventh lunar month according to the Chinese calendar. During this festival family's prepare traditional food and offer them to their ancestors. Lanterns, Bonfires and hanging lights are lit on miniature paper boats. These lanterns on water are released to make way for the spirits. This festival is dedicated to spirits on their peaceful journey to heaven.
5. Ireland
Although Irish Halloweens have become more Westernized they still have some old traditions they follow. These traditions include bonfires, jack-o-lanterns, costumes and trick or treating. It is also tradition for them to have colcannon before going out, a dish made with boiled potatoes, curly kale and raw onions. It is also common to make barmbrack, a traditional Irish Halloween cake. Each member of the family gets a slice and there are items hidden within which mean different things, the rag means your financial future is doubtful, the coin means you will have a prosperous year, the ring means impending romance or continued happiness and the thimble means you will never marry. Women also do blindfolded cabbage picking, in which they pick the first cabbage they stumble upon and if has a lot of clay attached then it means their future lover will have money.
