Halloween in Russia: the essence of the holiday and what date it is celebrated
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Halloween is a holiday loved by millions of people in English-speaking countries. But not everyone knows the true history of this creepy, but at the same time fun holiday. There are many myths and legends associated with Halloween. Some of them are truly creepy and chilling.
History of Halloween
Halloween owes its origin to the Celts, the people who inhabited Britain and Ireland. The “ancestor” of the holiday of evil spirits was Samhain - it was celebrated at the end of October. This holiday symbolized the end of summer. At the end of the second autumn month, people burned sacred bonfires and gave thanks for the harvest.
On this day, the souls of the dead appear among the living. This is what the Celts thought.People tried to appease their deceased ancestors with gifts and treats so that they would help grow a good harvest in the coming year.
To prevent the spirits from harming the living that night, people extinguished the fire in their houses. They also threw animal skins over their bodies to scare away uninvited ghost guests. People also gathered around large fires - they were lit by Druid priests. That night, sacrifices were made, and after the ritual, residents took the consecrated fire home.
The essence of Halloween
The Samhain holiday gradually became obsolete in the 16th century. When Christianity came to Europe, this pagan holiday gradually “merged” with the religious one. In the United States, Halloween gained popularity when the Irish and Scots immigrated here en masse. It was their traditions of celebrating Samhain that gradually formed the basis for the celebration of All Saints' Day.
The essence of the holiday remains the same - honoring deceased ancestors. Gradually, certain traditions of celebrating Halloween developed. Since about the middle of the 16th century, both adults and children from different countries hid their faces with cloth masks and traveled from house to house. They played petty pranks and asked their owners for sweets. Dressing in costumes and making glowing pumpkins began at the beginning of the 20th century.
Connection with religion
According to historians, the merger of Samhain and the Christian holiday occurred when Pope Gregory III set the date for the celebration of All Saints' Day on the 1st of the last autumn month. Pagan traditions were so deeply ingrained in the people's memory that they gradually became intertwined with Catholic religious celebrations.
Representatives of other Christian denominations perceive Halloween differently. There are parishes in the Anglican Church that maintain its traditions as part of the celebration of All Saints' Day.
The Roman Catholic Church is neutral about Halloween. She recognizes the connection of this holiday with Christianity, but does not classify it as religious. But celebrating Halloween in church or parish schools is not prohibited.
Some Christians do not recognize Halloween. The reason for this is the pagan roots and elements of the occult in the traditions of the festival.
How is Halloween translated?
Halloween is a short form of the phrase All Hallows Even. The first two words in translation mean “All Saints”, and Even is an abbreviation for “evening” (evening). Literally, Halloween translates as “All Saints' Evening.”
Halloween in Russia
In Russian the words Halloween or Halloween are used. The first option is considered the most common.
In Russia and Russian-speaking countries, Halloween is a controversial and popular holiday at the same time. The Orthodox Church condemns it, considering it flirting with evil spirits.
Some officials are also negative about Halloween. In some regions of Russia it is prohibited to celebrate it within the walls of state institutions.
But gradually the prohibitions are becoming less categorical. On the evening of October 31, funny street flash mobs take place. Clubs, restaurants and other institutions offer visitors an extensive entertainment program this night.
What date is Halloween?
Halloween is celebrated on the night from October 31 to November 1. The Celts believed that at exactly midnight the doors to the world of the dead would open. Thanks to such a “portal”, spirits and ghosts are able to visit the earth.
Halloween Traditions
Over the several centuries of its existence, the Halloween holiday has acquired numerous traditions and rituals.
Home Decoration for Halloween
In Western countries, the house and yard for Halloween are decorated not only with pumpkins and candlesticks, but also with various “horror” attributes. Artificial webs and paper bats are especially popular. From the same material you can cut out silhouettes of ghosts or a witch flying on a broom.
Halloween Costumes
Halloween costumes are a relatively new concept. The Scots first wore them at the end of the 19th century. It was from this time that children not only begged for sweets, but did it in bright themed outfits. In Ireland and England, this tradition appeared at the beginning of the 20th century.
The first carnival costumes of Scottish children depicted characters from the other world: monsters and ghosts.
Modern Halloween costumes go on sale as early as August. Their main theme is supernatural beings and evil spirits. On Halloween, people dress up as the following characters:
- witches;
- skeletons;
- monsters;
- vampires;
- mummies;
- werewolves.
Begging for sweets
A distinctive feature of Halloween is traveling from house to house and begging for sweets. Initially, this tradition was associated with Christmas. But gradually, even on Halloween, poor children in Ireland and Great Britain begged for alms in the form of “spiritual cakes.” If the owner treated the petitioners, they prayed for the souls of his deceased relatives.
This tradition is still relevant today.
Halloween Myths
The most important myth of Halloween is the visit of the souls of the dead to the world of living people. But this is not the only superstition that shrouds All Saints' Day in a mystical aura.
Witches
The witch outfit is one of the most popular Halloween costumes. A witch flying on a broom against the background of the moon is a symbol of the holiday. According to legends, on Halloween the witch's power increases many times over.
An old witch with a pointed hat on her head, who stirs a hellish brew in a cauldron - a prototype of the pagan goddess of Mother Earth or the Crone. It symbolized the change of seasons and worldly wisdom.
This is interesting. According to legend, it is on Halloween evening that you can see a witch. To do this, you need to put your clothes on inside out and go outside at midnight. You need to move backwards, but you cannot turn your head back to make your way. The first woman you meet on the way is the witch.
Jack-o'-Lantern
Pumpkin lanterns were originally made in America in the 1930s. But not at all for celebrating Halloween. Before 1900, these unusual lamps were a symbol of the end of the harvest.
Gradually, the pumpkin lantern became a symbol of Halloween. According to legend, the drunkard Jack once met Satan on the way and managed to outwit him. Jack lured the devil into a tree to eat some fruit and carved a cross on the trunk. The unclean man could not leave the tree, and the cunning drinker made him promise that after death he would not go to hell.
Jack's life was filled with drunkenness and other sins. Therefore, after death he did not go to heaven. But according to the devil’s promise, he was not taken to hell either. From the flames of hell, Jack was given only a small smoldering piece of coal. The drunkard put it in an empty pumpkin so that it would not go out. Now Jack wanders the world and cannot find peace.
Modern "Jack-o'-lanterns" are one of the most beloved and colorful attributes of Halloween. Children especially love to make these lanterns. Most often, evil faces are carved on pumpkins, but this is not necessary. You can come up with any other pattern or image.
Black Cats
A popular Halloween image is a black cat, a traditional symbol of misfortune and misfortune.The reputation of these animals has been damaged since the time of the witch hunters. Black cats were considered assistants to sorcerers and the embodiment of demons. Many people believed (and still believe) that the devil takes the form of a black cat.
The bats
These animals are considered the embodiment of dark forces, like their “colleagues” - black cats. There is a belief that if a bat flies around a person’s house three times on Halloween, death will visit the home. And if on the eve of the holiday this animal flies into the house, it is inhabited by ghosts.
Spiders
Many people are afraid of these eight-legged creatures. It is not surprising that spiders have become a symbol of one of the most mystical holidays of the year. Legend has it that if a spider falls on a candle and burns in its flame, a witch is wandering nearby. Another sad, but very romantic myth states: if a person sees a spider on Halloween, it means that the spirit of his deceased lover is hovering nearby.
Witch's cauldron
The Celts believed that after death the human soul went into the cauldron of the witch Mother Earth. Here all the souls were stewing, awaiting incarnation into a new life.
"Trick or Treat"
It is with this phrase that children travel from door to door on Halloween. Dressed in themed costumes, guests beg for money or sweets. If the owner refuses to give them an offering, they can indulge in any prank, for example, smearing glue on the door handle.
Dressed up guests “work off” the festive treat on Halloween by telling scary stories or singing songs for the owners of the house.
Corn cobs and sheaves of wheat
According to pagan beliefs, Halloween (aka Samhain) marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Therefore, corn and wheat also became symbols of the holiday - tasty and not scary.
Ghosts
On Halloween night, the souls of dead ancestors are among the living. This is why ghosts and apparitions are considered symbols of the holiday.
Where is Halloween celebrated?
For many years, Halloween remained an American heritage. But today it is known in all countries of the world, even in Asia: Singapore, Korea, Japan.
It is also celebrated in China, although the Chinese have a national All Souls Day. On Halloween, the Chinese take drinks and food to the churchyard and place lanterns to help the dead find their way to heaven. On this day, the monks make boats - on which the dead can go on their final journey. When darkness falls, boats are burned, and the smoke, according to beliefs, carries spirits to heaven.
Traditionally, Halloween is celebrated at home, decorating the home for the holiday. But in recent years, it has become increasingly fashionable to organize themed parties in cafes, theaters and other institutions.
About Halloween for children
Halloween is one of the most favorite children's holidays, despite all its mystical essence. The main reasons for such popularity are bright themed costumes and the opportunity to beg for sweets.
But Halloween is also attractive for children because on this holiday you can take part in various competitions, games, parties and even carnival processions. If the holiday is celebrated at home, you can prepare themed sweets for the whole family: worms, cute monsters or a pumpkin on a stick.
On a note. On Halloween, parents and their children can conduct interesting experiments and make crafts with their own hands. One of the easiest and most interesting thematic master classes is making a ghost in a bottle:
Interesting Facts
Some interesting facts about Halloween that not everyone knows:
- One of the symbols of the holiday of evil spirits is the full moon.But on All Hallows' Eve, the full moon is rarely seen. In Russia, it was seen in the sky in 2001, and on the next Halloween in 2020. In 2021, you shouldn't expect a full moon on this night either - it falls on October 20.
- On Halloween, girls can tell fortunes in the name of their betrothed. There are many rituals for finding a husband. According to one of them, a girl should stand in a dark room facing a mirror, holding a lit candle in her hands. In the reflection, she can see the face of her future spouse.
- Black cats aren't the only symbols of Halloween. Owls have long been endowed with a mystical essence. In the Middle Ages, they believed that these birds had the abilities of witches.
Halloween generates profits for stores second only to those from Christmas sales.
The holiday, which previously did not require any special preparation, is now celebrated on an impressive scale. The main expenses fall on costumes and decoration of the lawns in front of the house and the homes themselves, and decorative garlands. It is estimated that spending on Halloween is around $7-9 billion. In terms of expenses, this holiday is second only to Christmas.
This is interesting. The average American, depending on age and gender, spends between $75 and $95 each year on Halloween. With this money, US residents buy masks, toys, and treats.
Harry Houdini died on October 31, 1926.
It is symbolic that the famous illusionist, who became famous for his complex tricks, died on Halloween. Harry Houdini's career was built on his ability to survive in almost hopeless situations. This skill was considered by many to be truly supernatural.
The magician's death was due to peritonitis.It was provoked by a blow to the stomach that Harry received while performing a stunt. The magician did not contact the doctors, as a result of which he died suddenly.
Halloween phobia
The fear of Halloween has its own official name: Saminophobia. A strong fear of this holiday causes panic attacks in some people. There are several other phobias associated with Halloween:
- Wiccaphobia (fear of witches);
- coimetrophobia (fear of cemeteries);
- Phasmophobia (fear of ghosts).
The first Jack-O-Lanterns weren't made from pumpkins.
Today, the jack-o'-lantern is the true orange symbol of Halloween. But lamps were not always made from this fruit. Traditionally, turnips were used for this purpose in Scotland and Ireland. Emigrants who arrived in America gradually began to use pumpkin, since this fruit on Novaya Zemlya was the most accessible and easier to cut.
A quarter of all candy sold in the US each year occurs on Halloween.
The United States is the leader in sales of Halloween candy. According to estimates, Americans spend about $2 billion a year on the purchase of various candies, chewing gum, and other sweets.
Halloween is one of the most mysterious, but at the same time fun holidays of pagan origin. In English-speaking countries, the celebration of All Saints' Day is accompanied by colorful competitions, carnival parades and all kinds of entertainment. Every year, Americans spend enormous amounts of money on themed outfits and treats. In Russian-speaking countries, the holiday is also gradually gaining popularity, despite the cool attitude of the Orthodox Church towards it.