The Halloween’s origin was……

Origin: Celtic observation of Samhain
According to what can be reconstructed of the beliefs of the ancient Celts, the bright half of the year ended around November 1 or on a Moon-phase near that date, a day referred to in modern Gaelic as Samhain ("Sow-in" or alternatively "Sa-ven", meaning: End of the Summer). After the adoption of the Roman calendar with its fixed months, the date began to be celebrated independently of the Moon's phases.
As October 31st is the last day of the bright half of the year, the next day also meant the beginning of Winter, which the Celts often associated with human death, and with the slaughter of livestock to provide meat for the coming Winter. The Celts also believed that on October 31, the boundary separating the dead from the living became blurred. There is a rich and unusual myth system at work here; the spirit world, the residence of the "Sídhe," as well as of the dead, was accessible through burial mounds. These mounds opened at two times during the year, Samhain and Beltane, making the beginning and end of Summer highly spiritually resonant.
The Celts' survival during the cold harsh winters depended on the prophecies of their priests and priestesses (Druids), and the accurate prediction of how much food would be needed to sustain the people before the next harvest. They believed that the presence of spirits would aid in the ability to make predictions about the coming year.
The exact customs observed in each Celtic region differ, but they generally involved the lighting of bonfires and the reinforcement of boundaries, across which malicious spirits might be prevented from crossing and threatening the community.
Like most observances around this season, warmth and comfort were emphasized, indulgence was not. Stores of preserved food were needed to last through the winter, not for parties.
Chinese Version:
萬聖節前夜起源於不列顛凱爾特人的傳統節慶，在10月的最後一天，他們相信這是夏天的終結，冬天的開始，這一天是一年的重要標誌，是最重要的節慶之一，被稱為「死人之日」，或者「鬼節」。這一天各種惡鬼出沒，死去人們的靈魂也會離開身體，在世間游走，這一天的晚上也就格外危險。人們會把食物放在門口吸引有主的鬼魂靈魂，而為了嚇走邪惡的鬼魂，凱爾特人會載上面具。
當天主教傳教士登陸不列顛諸島的時候，傳教士們為了壓制這種被他們視為異端的德魯伊傳統，就把這一天之後的11月第一天定為萬聖節，紀念天主教的聖人們，希望以此打壓這些鬼怪觀念，所以說是先有鬼節，後有萬聖節。
Halloween originated among the Celts in Ireland, Britain and France[1] as the Pagan Celtic harvest festival, Samhain. Irish, Scots, Calan Gaeaf in Welsh and other immigrants brought versions of the traditions to North America in the 19th century. Most other Western countries have embraced Halloween as a part of American pop culture in the late 20th century.

When we think of Halloween, we think of "Trick or treat", pumpkins, Jack o' lanterns, vampires and haunted houses. But do you know the origin of Halloween? Why does it fall on 31 October? What kind of festival is it? Why is it so creepy?

Halloween dates back to a Celtic festival called Samhain. November 1 is the new year of the Celts, who lived in Europe more than a thousand years ago. This is the day which marked the end of summer and harvest. The Celts believed that on the night of October 31, ghosts of the dead would return to earth. The Celts celebrated Samhain by dressing up in costumes with animal heads and having bonfires. Many Celts settled in Britain and Ireland, where the festival became popular. Those who moved to America took the tradition with them.

Nowadays, most people celebrate Halloween but only for fun. They are not worried about ghosts. Kids in America will dress up as devils or angels and will go from house to house calling "Trick or treat", playing mischievous tricks and getting sweets. Americans spend more money on Halloween than Christmas! In 2005, more than HK$45 billion was spent on Halloween. And HK$15 billion of that was spent on candy alone!!!

Kids in Britain also dress up at Halloween. They visit houses, sing songs or tell a joke to get sweets. Many go to Halloween parties and play games like "ducking for apples". You must pick up an apple in water but you can only use your mouth. Try it!

＊Halloween Ancient Origins＊



The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter.

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