万圣女巫与大南瓜-查字典英语网
搜索1
所在位置: 查字典英语网 > 趣味英语 > 英美文化 > 万圣女巫与大南瓜

万圣女巫与大南瓜

发布时间:2016-03-04  编辑:查字典英语网小编

Hallowe\'en is a popular festival in many countries all over the world, and every year it seems to get bigger.

It\'s getting dark earlier and it\'s starting to get cold. Christmas is still a long way away. We need something to cheer us up and take our minds of the fact that winter is nearly here. See how much you know about the traditional festival of Hallowe\'en.

The origins of the name

The festival of Hallowe\'en has its roots in Celtic and Roman traditions. Over 2,000 years ago the Celts in Britain, Ireland and parts of France celebrated Samhain to mark the beginning of winter. When the Romans invaded, they merged this with Feralia, their celebration of the passing of the dead. As Christianity spread, the Church tried to replace these pagan feasts with official Church holy days. One of these was November 1. It was called "All Hallows", and October 31 was known as "All Hallows\' Eve", and then Hallowe\'en.

Hallowe\'en traditions

In the past there was a tradition called "souling". Poor people went around houses asking for food. In exchange, they promised to say prayers for the dead. People no longer go souling, but the habit has been transformed into a modern Hallowe\'en game for children in America, who dress up as ghosts, witches and monsters and go around people\'s houses.

Witches

Hallowe\'en wouldn\'t be fun without witches. Witches have always been part of popular folklore. Shakespeare\'s play "Macbeth" opens with three witches. A witch was someone - usually a woman - who had special powers and had dealings with the devil. The American town, Salem, is famous for the "witchcraft trials", which took place there in 1692.

Pumpkins

The pumpkin has become a symbol of Hallowe\'en. People empty a pumpkin, cut a face into the side, and put a candle inside to make a lamp. It\'s known as a Jack O\' Lantern, from a story about a man called Jack, who made a deal with the devil.

Animals

Black cats, frogs, mice and spiders are just some of the animals associated with Hallowe\'en. Generally, the more unpleasant the animal, the stronger the Hallowe\'en connection. Nocturnal animals like bats are particular favourites, and if, as is the case with vampire bats, they like drinking blood, they are high on the Hallowe\'en list.

-

点击显示

推荐文章
猜你喜欢
附近的人在看
推荐阅读
拓展阅读
  • 大家都在看
  • 小编推荐
  • 猜你喜欢
  •