what does HALLOWEN means?

Question

i mean, what do we celebrate, the devil, witches or what??

Answer 1

In Europe, long after the advent of Catholicism, the pagan or country traditions were still strong amongst the common people.

The Church could not stop country people celebrating the old festivals, so they brought a lot of the calendar in line to replace or Christianize them.

Halloween, all Hallows eve, was aligned with Samain. In Europe this was the end of the agricultural year. Effectively it was when the land died. This part of the earths cycle was marked by ritual and custom that reflected and highlighted this event.

It was believed that the veil between this world and the spirit world was at it's finest. Therefore it was common to practice many arts of divination,magic and prophecy, etc. for thee year yet to come.

To ward away any negative spirits fires would be lit, candles put in windows, masks would be worn, etc.

In Britain after the 17th century a lot of these customs fused with Guy Fawkes and the bonfire festival was hijacked. The guy replacing effigies of symbolic objects that would have been burnt before as offerings to the gods and natures spirits.

The 2 events being so close together, Halloween was still marked, but became demonised and linked to the negative connotations of the spirit world.

Answer 2

The term Halloween is shortened from All-hallow-even, as it is the eve of "All Hallows' Day", also which is now known as All Saints' Day. It was a day of religious festivities in various northern European Pagan traditions. Although All Saints' Day is now considered to occur one day after Halloween, the two holidays were, at that time, celebrated on the same day. Many European cultural traditions, in particular Celtic cultures, hold that Halloween is one of the liminal times of the year when spirits can make contact with the physical world, and when magic is most potent.
The modern holiday of Halloween has its origins in the ancient Gaelic festival known as Samhain. The Festival of Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture, and is regarded as 'The Celtic New Year'. Traditionally, the festival was a time used by the ancient pagans to take stock of supplies and slaughter livestock for winter stores. The Ancient Gaels believed that on October 31, the boundaries between the worlds of the living and the dead overlapped and the deceased would come back to life and cause havoc such as sickness or damaged crops. The festivals would frequently involve bonfires, where the bones of slaughtered livestock were thrown. Costumes and masks were also worn at the festivals in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or placate them. When the Romans occupied Celtic territory, several Roman traditions were also incorporated into the festivals. Feralia, a day celebrated in late October by the Romans for the passing of the dead as well as a festival which celebrated the Roman Goddess Pomona, the goddess of fruit were incorporated into the celebrations. The symbol of Pomona was an apple, which is a proposed origin for the tradition of bobbing for apples on Halloween.

Answer 3

Halloween is a combination of several different ideas. from the Wicca solstice to DOA Del la Mortie, day of the dead.

the idea of dressing the children up as devils or goblins dates back to old Europe where it was done so that the children would "blend in" with those goblins roaming the earth.

Mexican, Spanish, Asian, Japanese all have something in common with celebrating the day of the dead where as your ancestors are allowed to come and visit on this day each year.
in cases like the Japanese, this would be concluded by launching a tiny raft at the end of the day with a candle and a little rice to guide them home to the other side. a very picturesque scene.

it's mostly propagated by candy and costume sales now, so just enjoy the day, the costumes, and the different cultures.

Answer 4

Halloween is shortened for All Hallows Eve. About 2000 years ago, in Ireland, the pagans New year was on November 1st. They believed that the evening before, the world of the living and the world of the dead had no boundaries, so the dead spirits would come back to life and walk among the living. They would cause havok, like illness and failed crops. So the pagans dressed in costumes, (to blend in with the undead) lit bonfires, and threw in the remains of slaughtered livestock.

Children dressed in costumes would often go door to door collecting apples, nuts and sweets for the festival, which is most likely how trick or treating started.

Answer 5

Halloween (hăl´´symbolwēn´, häl´´—) , Oct. 31, the eve of All Saints' Day, observed with traditional games and customs. The word comes from medieval England's All Hallows' eve (Old Eng. hallow= "saint" ). However, many of these customs predate Christianity, going back to Celtic practices associated with Nov. 1, which was Samhain (sä´wÄ­n) , the beginning of winter and the Celtic new year. Witches and other evil spirits were believed to roam the earth on this evening, playing tricks on human beings to mark the season of diminishing sunlight. Bonfires were lit, offerings were made of dainty foods and sweets, and people would disguise themselves as one of the roaming spirits, to avoid demonic persecution. Survivals of these early practices can be found in countries of Celtic influence today, such as the United States where children go from door to door in costumes demanding "trick or treat."

hope this will help u.

thanks!

Answer 6

As a long-time scholar of Celtic history and spirituality, I'd just like to observe that the best, most comprehensive, as well as most accurate answer to this question was given by "Ali-tree." Well done Ali!

Peace and Blessings,

OakLore

Answer 7

It has nothing to do with Satan. And people who worship Satan don't take one day out of the year to do so. It's just a time for kids to dress up and have a good time and get candy.

Answer 8

Children dress up as witches, ghosts or vampires, and they go from house to house playing TRICK OR TREAT

Answer 9

It's All Hallows Eve, which is actually a reference to a Christian holiday which is now called All Saints Day.

Answer 10

all hallows eve the day of the dead the day before all saints day which is November first so all hallows eve became Halloween