If you’ve ever attended a Halloween festival, you’ll recognize some of the following images: intricately carved pumpkins in bizarre shapes, colorful dancing lights flickering inside a pumpkin like a spooky lantern, demonic masks… these are the prominent features of Halloween.
1 Understanding Halloween Festival
What is Halloween? When is Halloween?
What is Halloween
When is Halloween? Halloween (or Hóa Lộ Quỉ) is a festival that takes place on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. The significance of Halloween is to pay tribute to the departed, for the younger generation, this day is considered a festival, the most joyful festival of the year, it carries within it mystery and attraction.
Halloween is a mixture of religious rituals and ancient customs from various cultures. During the festival, people compete to decorate symbolic figures: witches, black cats, eerie pumpkins; dress up, wear masks, create figures… This year, 2023, Halloween falls on Tuesday.
The Origin of Halloween Festival
Halloween originally originated from Western countries. The word “Halloween” comes from the Catholic Church, the remaining trace of the All Hallow Eve. November 1 is the day of worship for Catholic expressing their gratitude to the Holy Spirit.
However, during the time of the Celts, the harvest ended on October 31, the day of Halloween was called Samhain (harvesting day) which is November 1. Because according to them: during this time the god of spring and summer no longer rules and makes way for the god of Death. When the souls of the dead return to their relatives’ homes to ask for food and drink, the corpses move freely.
Halloween originated from Western countries
According to ancient tales, on Samhain night, the souls of the dead from the previous year will find another body to start a new life in the following year. However, the living do not want the souls of the dead to enter them, so on October 31 the villagers extinguish the fire in their homes to make the house chilly and desolate. Afterward, people dress up as vampires or bizarre figures to drive away the souls looking for bodies.
People dress up as vampires or bizarre figures to drive away the souls looking for bodies
Furthermore, there is another explanation that on the night of Samhain, the Celts extinguish the fire not to drive away the souls, but afterward, they gather to fetch fire from the source light known as Druidic. And the bodies of those who are possessed by souls will be bound to stakes and burned as a warning and also to drive away the souls wishing to be reborn.
The bodies of those who are possessed by souls will be bound to stakes and burned as a warning
The Halloween festival then spread to many other countries and underwent changes. It is also said to originate from a customs called “soul-seeking” of Europeans in the 9th century. On November 2nd every year, Catholics go from one village to another to ask for “soul cakes”. The more cakes they receive, the more souls they help ascend to heaven, and the souls of their loved ones somewhere will be happy.
In England, in the past, the evening of Halloween was called Nutcrack Night or Snap Apple Night, which means everyone in the family would light a fire and sit down to eat fruit.
The Significance of Halloween Festival
Educational Significance
Do not play with demons because playing, interacting with demons will easily tempt you into darkness and sins (Demonic means figuratively: threats, making others scared, deceiving or doing supernatural things that the intelligence and imagination of young people create, can harm people, society…)
However, the story of Jack also records a flat attitude of the devil, which is “revenge, retaliation” and “keeping promises.” Although this “keeping promises” caused Jack to fall into the role of a wandering soul.
What is Trick or Treat? The Meaning of the Candy or Trick Game
Trick or Treat is a Halloween tradition where children go from house to house asking for candy (treat) and if they don’t receive any, they may play a mischievous trick instead.
8 Little-Known Facts About Halloween
In addition to the fun activities, Halloween also has many interesting facts that not everyone knows. Join us as we explore 8 fascinating facts about this holiday!
Crispy and Buttered Bat Wing Cake Recipe
In anticipation of Halloween approaching, pocket the recipe to make crispy and delicious bat-shaped cakes, with a rich milk butter flavor that everyone will love, right at home through our article below!
Unique Halloween Food from Around the World
Halloween, originating from Western countries, is considered as one of the most important holidays second only to Christmas. On this day, each country has its own signature dishes.
