I need every story, beliefs, and myth all around of christmas and halloween, and if it is necessary, please give me the website address that tells about that. Thankyusomucz!!!
2006-12-03 20:35:09 · 2 answers · asked by Pram Piano 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
Christmas is of Christian origin.
Halloween, however, comes from an ancient pagan Sabbat.
Halloween falls on the 31st of October, this is still known as the mass of Samhain to Wiccans. Or the Autumn Equinox. This day was also celebrated as All Hallows Eve (hence the name Halloween). Hallows refers to ghosts, because it was believed that the spirits of the dead walked through the villages on this night and were to be celebrated- hence the macabre and scary nature of the holiday.
On Halloween it was common to plant apples in the ground leading to the local cemetery, to guide the spirits back to their 'homes'. This is the same reason why people use Jack-O-Lanterns- candles to light the path for the dead.
Traditionally, people would make offerings in the Autumn Equinox to bring good luck and peace and happiness (like many people of other religions still do today), this is one of the reasons for our trick-or-treating.
That's just *some* information about Halloween.
Hope this helps.
2006-12-03 21:54:41 · answer #1 · answered by Dolores S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Okay, one of your answers giot her facts a bit wrong...here goes-
CHRISTMAS - the origins of Christmas are actually pagan. The Saturnallia was celebrated around the same time (the winter solstice) and the church wanted to counteract this, so they decided to hold a celebration of the birth of Jesus during this time. The tales of the star, born of a virgin, 3 wise men, etc. are all part of the anceint persian mythos surrounding Mythras, who was a very popular god of the time.
HALLOWEEN - known as Samhain, is a Celtic celebration of the ending of year (the end of harvest). It comes 6 weeks after the Equinox and is known as a cross-quarter day. It was/is believed that the veil between the living and dead is thin at this time and the spirits can more easily visit the living.
2006-12-04 04:54:20 · answer #2 · answered by harpertara 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋