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Halloween Rituals Around the World
For most of us North Americans, Halloween conjured images of mountains of candy, jack-o-lanterns, cheesy decorations and music at the neighbours house, drunk pubcrawlers wearing completely ridiculous outfits that they would never dream of wearing normally. And for us Canadian prairie kids in particular, we remember with fondness how our moms tried valiantly to fit our costumes over top of our snowsuits and how we would inevitably reach a point where we were just too cold to keep going, despite the 20 more blocks of free candy that was up for grabs. Ahhh, good times. But, have you ever wondered what they do for Halloween in other countries? I did a little research and here's a small sampling of what I found:
- In China, food and water is placed in front of photos of deceased family members to honour them
- In Belgium, they really believe in the black cat superstition, and it's bad news if one enters your house
- In the Czech Republic, a fire is built and chairs for deceased people are placed beside it.
- In Ireland, where Halloween originated, bonfires are lit across the country and many people hold parties, complete with festivities like apple-bobbing.
- In Latin America and Spain, they celebrate El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) -- and though it might seem like a sombre day, it's actually quite the celebration -- it lasts three days and commemorates the return of the dead to the earth.
- In France, Halloween is a commercialized American holiday brought into the country by Coca-Cola.
Filed under: Festivals and Events
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Misty-Lin Oct 12th 2009 12:58PM
P.s. what kind of God do you christians have that would condem a person to hell just for having a difference in oppinion than himself after having given us free will?
randy Oct 18th 2007 8:25PM
as that we are wiccans we gather with our loved ones and welcome the sprits of ours gone before,we sometime cary on all eve till almost dawn.
Erika Oct 18th 2007 8:44PM
Well, here in Colorado Springs, Land of the mighty christians... My birthday is Halloween. However, growing up with a birthday on a day that some bible-belt believers think is an "evil" day has been hard.
Not only have I been told that I'm going to hell for the day that I'm born (by my own friends), but I have also had people tell me that thier parents wouldn't let them attend my b-day party (when I was 10) because it was on halloween and they thought that it was an evil day. (Keep in mind that my birthday party wasn't on halloween, it was the weekend before, and It was hula party themed, not halloween).
Yet, not everyone here is like that.. Praying for the children's sins for trick-or-treating, that is. I have spent many years trick-or-treating other neighborhoods and found that I tend to get more candy when I tell them that it is my Birthday. (hehehe)
So, really, it has its ups and downs.
But on the bright side, I always get to make people wonder when I tell them that Strangers give me candy on my birthday!
xenarah Oct 23rd 2007 2:58AM
Isn't it amazing that the remembrance of those departed is celebrated in so many places at the same time of the year? It proves once again that we're all from the same roots...
kerry bordelon Oct 18th 2007 9:17PM
I JUST THINK THAT THE BELIEFS AND THE DAY IS REALLY STUPID AND A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY
David Peddle Oct 19th 2008 6:52PM
I think your a closed-minded ass-hole,and just so you know Halloween,or Samhain(sow-in),is the pagan and Celtic new year so do some studying before you start shooting off your mouth jackass!
falloutboy503897 Oct 18th 2007 9:26PM
Well...in America, we just go trick or treating, DUH! In case you don't know, all u do is go house to house dressed up in a costume and gather candy; or if u want, haunt the little kids! But that would be rude. Another thing is that we go to haunted houses and concerts that are goth rock, considered as, Marilyn Manson, Slipknot, Insane Clown Posse, Mushroom Head, Mudvayne, KISS, H.I.M and more... Because they are in costumes on stage, DUH!
debby d Oct 18th 2007 9:45PM
ahi, Happy Halloween! A certain person about 20 mins ago Viewed itit as a Waste of time. Listen the way I see it the 31 of Oct is speacial to a lot of people 6-60, including myself 55.
If it isn't your cup of tea, Fine. Just stay with all the other Grumpy people. How do you feel about Xmas and Santa Clus???
But to everyone else Have a Nice, saft & fun time. We are Never to old. For All the people who view it as Nonsence, Sorry to see You are finally All Grown Up!!!
sam Oct 18th 2007 9:52PM
I buy @least 3 costumes a year...go to parties all week and weekend...and make sure I am woring on halloween night at the resturant I work at because the tips are great when you are in costume...this year I will be a cowgirl...while I am working (its more conservative)
HALLOWEEN IS THE BEST HOLIDAY OF THE YEAR.....if you dont like it...go hide under a bush and be like those lame people that dont even answer the door on halloween.
Dawn Oct 18th 2007 10:02PM
Well as was previously stated, those of us who follow the pagan/wiccan paths celebrate ritual and honor our ancestors who have gone on before us.May all of your Halloween/Samhain celebrations be full of love and joy! Blessings to all for a wonderful, fun filled night!
Linda Oct 18th 2007 10:03PM
Blessed Samhain fellow Wiccans!! As some of you know Halloween was first celebrated by the Pagans.
It is our New Year and a time for remembering our friends and family that have passed to the Summerland. It is also a time when the veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead is the thinnest. I know a lot of Christians who still beleive that it is all about Satan worshipping...LMAO.
There is no Satan folks...nor is there a Hell. So to All, go out and celebrate your loved ones and dont forget to leave some milk and bread with honey out for the fairies on Halloween/Samhain night.
Blessed Be
So Mote it Be.
Ivyevine Oct 18th 2007 10:05PM
Halloween is and can be a very fun time for children if we adults let it be, and older children allow them. Pray for America.
Robert Oct 18th 2007 10:37PM
I beg the forgiveness in advance of the small-minded individuals who think that Halloween is a waste of time and money, etc. To me, it conjures up memories so dear and refreshing; dressing up in costume, being with friends, guessing if you knew 'that' person, free candy (joyous), and a night of fun til you thought you were too old but still wanted to. It's not the same though. I can't let my son out of my sight and that bothers me to no end. But, I will still try to make it as enjoyable for him as I can because I don't let him know the fears I have, but instead let hime enjoy the moment that I had. It may cost me more in different ways thatn money or time, but the price is worth paying. Happy Halloween everyone and be safe.
Robyn Oct 18th 2007 10:36PM
For Linda, No satan? No Hell? That's not what Jesus said!
kathrine Oct 18th 2007 10:48PM
Just curious,
Since there are some Wiccans on board, can you share with us what Samhain means? and...what do you worship? I was surprised to see that you didn't believe in Satan or Hell. What is Summerland like? I apologize for all the questions, but I've never heard these things.
Misty-Lin Oct 12th 2009 1:16PM
samhain is the wiccan new years celabration, a time to remember the dead & to celabrate new beginings. Wiccan's worship the lords & ladies or also known as the ancient ones. No we do not believe in satan or in hell as a matter of fact we believe that the idea of satan derives from a god called the horned one, not evil we also do not believe in God or jesus christ as many christians do. & as for summerland, it is also known by other names but the basic idea of it is where spirits stay in limbo after dying & before crossing over...
& as for those that have stated they feel sorry for the wiccans that will go to hell for not believing in it, we also feel sorry for you to not be accepted by the lords & ladies for your disbeliefs so the same thing may be said by both.
Blessed be to all & happy samhain...
Terie makinen Oct 18th 2007 10:48PM
BLESSED BE,
tThe veil is very thin now. Cast your circle & remember (celebrate) those who have moved on! I am the scrying type. My appt complex has an all-nigther!
C. Quinones Oct 18th 2007 10:47PM
Linda,
You think there is no Satan or no Hell? Wow.... Guess you'll be in for a nasty surprise when you die...
Little Stinker Oct 18th 2007 11:03PM
We sit around and waight for Bush to show his lying face on T. V.
Just like when Clinton was in office. We thaught Hillery and Bill were scarry
COWBOY Oct 18th 2007 11:08PM
HALLOWEEN IS A SATANIC HOLIDAY. PRIOR TO "ALL SAINTS" DAY. ELSE WHY WOULD PEOPLE GO AROUND DRESSED AS WITCHES, GOBLINS AND DEMONS? THEY ARE GIVING GLORY AND HONOR TO THE DEVIL. GOD HATES THAT. THOSE WHO DO IT WILL SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES THAT GO ALONG WITH IT.