History
(and
etymology) of
Halloween
+ Halloween
Games
|
Etymology & Meaning of the word
"Halloween"
"Hallow" is short for
"hallowed"
and it means holy.
"E'en"
is short for "evening".
Hence, "Halloween" means: "holy
evening."
Why, then, if Halloween is a HOLY
evening, do so many people think that Halloween is the night
of the Devil? I don't know. In reality, halloween has nothing to do with the
Devil. The concept of a Devil is a Christian fabrication. On the
other hand, Halloween was a Celtic Holy Night, first celebrated on what are now
known as the British Isles about 2,500 years ago (or more).
History of Halloween
Halloween has been a holiday in England for thousands of
years. It was a part of their culture long before Christianity came to the
British Isles. There was a group of people living on what is now known as
the British Isles (and Northern Ireland),
called Celtics. The religious leaders of the Celtics were called Druids.
On the last day of the Celtic calendar (which is October 31 by the Roman
"Gregorian" calendar), after sundown, it was believed that all the spirits of the dead came
forth from their resting places and roamed the earth. It was believed that
some of the spirits were evil. So, in order for the living to protect
themselves from the evil spirits, the Celtics made scary lanterns out of
pumpkins, and placed the 'jack-o-lanterns' in front of their houses to
scare away all evil spirits.
When Christianity came to the British Isles, the Catholics
tried to change such pagan practices, and they initiated "All Saints' Eve,"
or "Day of the Dead", which is celebrated on November 1st.
However, the traditions of the
people would not die. Today, Halloween is celebrated in Britain, North America,
Australia, New Zealand and probably parts of South Africa. Other countries are trying to
"get into the act" also. Korea, for example, has Halloween
celebrations in most of their bars and night clubs.
pumpkin
jack-o-lantern
(Note: I have permission to use the clip art above, but
I have to give credit to the publisher:
http://www.dtpe.com/
Other Halloween traditions include:
Wearing scary masks: The Celtics wore scary masks
if they had to leave their houses on Halloween, to scare away would-be molesting
evil spirits.
(pic from http://www.deathstudios.com)
Trick-or-Treating
Since no one still believes
that evil spirits roam the earth, children dress up in costumes, both cute
and scary, and go from door to door soliciting tricks or treats from their
neighbors. The custom of "trick-or-treating" seems to be a
fairly modern custom. I don't know how this tradition got started, nor when.
But, I can guess. It was probably started by parents wanting to lessen the
scariness of the "Hallowed Evening" for children.
1. Bobbing for Apples
| Materials |
- a big bucket full of water |
| |
- as many apples as there are contestants |
|
|
- a stop watch |
|
|
- a score sheet/board |
|
|
- writing implement |
| Method |
Put one apple in the bucket. The apple
should float. If it doesn't float, get another apple.
The first contestant must try to grab the apple with his/her
teeth and stand up straight with the apple securely lodged in
his/her mouth. The contestant may not use his/her hands.
Someone should use the stop watch to time the contestant.
Then, the next contestant tries. The contestant with the
quickest time wins. |
2. Pin the Tail on the Donkey
| Materials |
- a big paper donkey (2 dimensional) w/o tail |
|
|
- a paper donkey tail (2 dimensional) |
|
|
- a blind fold |
|
|
- a writing implement |
| Method |
Cut the tail off of the donkey. Stick the
tailless donkey to the wall or board. Put the blind fold
one the first contestant. Put the donkey tail in his/her
hand. Spin the contestant three times. Send the
contestant in the direction of the tailless donkey. The
contestant must place the donkey tail as close to it's
original position as possible. Mark the chosen spot with
a pen or other writing implement. Then contestant number
two tries. The closest contestant wins. |
3. Scariest Mask Contest
| Materials |
- lots of paper |
|
|
- lots of coloring implements |
|
|
- tape |
|
|
- scissors |
| Method |
Have all contestants draw and color the scariest
mask they can imagine. Then have them cut the eyes out.
Then have them tape the mask to their faces. When
everyone is finished. Have the contestants vote for the
scariest mask. The winner gets the most votes, of
course. |
4. Pumpkin Carving Contest
| Materials |
- one pumpkin for each team or contestant |
|
|
- one knife for each team of contestant |
|
|
- lots of old newspapers |
|
|
- two big pots |
| Method |
Each contestant or team gets one pumpkin, and
one knife. Each team must spread out newspapers under
their work area. Then, they must cut open the top of the
pumpkin and take out all the seeds and put the seeds in one of
the pots. Then they must try to carve out the scariest
face they can imagine in the side of the pumpkin. The
chucks of pumpkin must be put into the other pot. Then
the contestants vote for the scariest jack-o-lantern. The seed can be cleaned, roasted and eaten.
The pumpkin
chunks can be used to make pumpkin pie or pumpkin porridge. |
Halloween Funny
Photo
(Photographer: Unknown)
If you took this photo, please contact me and let me so I can
give you credit for the photo... GREAT PHOTO, by the way!!!!
A Contrast between
Halloween
and Day of the Dead AKA All Saints' Day
| Aspect |
Halloween |
All Saints' Day |
| Date |
October 31 |
November 1 |
| Who started it |
Celts |
Catholics |
| When was it started |
around 500 B.C. |
Around 500 A.D. |
| Purpose |
Protection from evil spirits |
Memorial of dead "saints" |
| Who celebrates it and where? |
All people of English-speaking countries. |
All Catholics around the world |
